Contentment

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
1 Timothy 6:6-8

Ouch. Content? Not a word that comes to mind when I think about myself. Saved, yes. Redeemed, yes. Forgiven, yes. Content...not so much.

What is it about me, or even people in general, that keeps us striving, always reaching for that one thing more? I get and get, but I never feel satisfied. There's always that one more thing. It taunts me, that one more thing.

I feel like I am so grateful for the things I've been given, and I may even go so far as to say that I am "content" at times, but I don't think I mean it. How can I mean it, when minutes later, I'm thinking about the one more thing? What a liar I am...I convince myself of the lie. A true master.

And yet, here it is, looking me in the face. And not just regular contentment, with my life, my circumstances. Oh no, God doesn't make it that easy.

Godliness with contentment.

The dictionary defines godliness as "piety by virtue of being a godly person." So after looking up piety (seriously, Webster?), I still don't really get what that really means for me.

A friend of mine defines it like this: Godliness is the purpose of God, for the glory of God, with the heart of God, as the people of God.

That doesn't have anything about me in it. Or what I want. Or the one more thing.

But one more time, as all the times before and all the times forevermore, He reminds me that it's not about me.

My life is for His purpose, for His glory, with His heart, and as His person.

Now, why does all this "nothing to do with me" bring contentment?

Because I was created for this. Not for the one more thing, although that may be added. But I was created to serve the purpose of God, for the glory of God, with the heart of God, as the daughter of God.

How can there be one more thing beyond the reason and the Person for which I exist? I'm fooling myself with one more thing, I distract myself with one more thing. I worship the one more thing instead of the One who made all things.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:1-11