Contentment Flows from Faith
Of all the scriptures in the book of Luke, there are days when today’s reading is the most needed and the hardest for me to live out. Jesus clearly tells us to not be anxious about anything, yet I am constantly anxious about all things. I worry that I will miss something important, and then I worry that I will do something too fast, too early, or something that wasn’t mine to do or have. It feels like anxiety, worry, and stress are natural parts of life, but that simply is not the case. They, like sin, pain and suffering, were never part of God’s plan for His children. Anxiety stems from the Fall. It echoes Eve’s original insecurity and greed. Even so, God tells us to let go of our fears and concerns so that we can focus on Him because that is where we find true peace.
We must not skim over the fact that today’s reading comes directly after Jesus got done teaching about the danger of greed. Often, greed and worry walk hand in hand. We worry because we want what we do not have. We want what we do not have because we have abandoned our walk with contentment. As David Guzik (2022) wrote, “Greed can never get enough, worry is afraid it will never have enough — neither have their eyes on Jesus.”
In my life, I have fallen so many times – each one when my eyes get pulled from my Savior. I know that true contentment only comes with resting in the providence of God. My flesh wants many things. It also thinks I can do so much more than I should. If I give in to my flesh, everything begins to fall apart. My discontent leads to a sullen attitude which affects the people and relationships around me. This begins a spiral of events that inevitably leaves me broken and gloomy. Contentment is resting. It is accepting the sovereignty and love of God without looking to see if the there could be more around the corner.
Contentment doesn’t mean we let go of any sense of responsibility. It isn’t an absence of working hard or striving. Instead, it accepts the plans of God. It calls us to lay our ambitions at the foot of the cross and declare ourselves to be slaves to God. Contentment isn’t an immobile lifestyle. It should never be associated with laziness or a sense of giving up. Rather, “There is a difference between a godly sense of responsibility and an ungodly, untrusting worry. However, an ungodly, untrusting sense of worry usually masquerades as responsibility” (Guzik, 2022).
Whatever you find pulling your attention away from God, give it to Him. He already knows the plans He created just for your life. He knows what is the best for you. Don’t allow Satan to distract you with promises of things quickly given but not needed. God may be quiet, but He is still there, still loving, still guiding. Trust Him and all those pieces of your life that feel broken will fall back into place.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
References:
Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Luke 12 by David Guzik. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/luke/luke-12.cfm
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