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Steve preached today, and it was thought-provoking for me. We talked about money - the love of it, the desire for more of it, the misconceptions surrounding the possession of it. And we talked about contentment.
We viewed a clip from the musical classic Fiddler On the Roof - you know, the place where Tevye is bemoaning the fact that God apparently chose to not bless him with an abundance of wealth (which, in true musical style, follows by him launching into a production of "If I Were a Rich Man").
What a delightful clip...yet how true of all of us.
During our quiet time during worship, I pondered this topic internally. My faith would tell me that I was having a dialogue with God. My faith tells me that He planted thoughts in my mind.
The desire for money isn't just wanting something new or bigger or better, though that definitely is a huge issue in our society that Steve spoke to very well. There is more than enough fodder here for an entire sermon on how to be content with what you have.
However, there is another side to financial desire that Steve spoke of that I likely identify with more acutely. I can remember so many times in my married years feeling like I wasn't going to make it financially. I so fervantly wished that I had more money...so I could pay my rent, so I could be current with the electric company, or even simply that I could purchase the rare treat of a big loaf of cheddar cheese for my family to enjoy. What does it mean to be content when you don't have enough to make it to the end of the month?
As I thought about this, I began to realize that there is more to contentment than simply being satisfied with what you have. True contentment goes much deeper than that, and its branches intertwine into virtually every area of our lives. In this sense, contentment doesn't mean that you have everything you need physically. For the Christian, true contentment means finding all we need in Christ, and leaving everything else in His hands.
Six words burned themselves into my mind as I sat in my pew...and I believe these words speak truth to every condition we find ourselves in, whether feast or famine, health or illness, happiness or despair...
KEEP...YOUR...EYES...FOCUSED...ON...JESUS.
I'm not sure why or how these words came to me, but I couldn't shake them. This is truth. As I keep the eyes of my spirit looking into the eyes of Christ, He will bring contentment to my soul. Real contentment. Lasting contentment. The kind of contentment that brings with it joy and peace.
I don't pretend to have mastered this area of my life...but I do believe in the truth of those words...and I know that as I follow their instruction I will be content.
As difficult as it has been to face hardship during my life, though, it is possibly rougher to witness my daughters go through the same types of struggles with their families, at times wondering how they are ever going to find the money to pay the next bill. This is painful for a Momma to watch, and even more painful when I can't always help.
So...these words that came to my mind I imagined myself speaking into the faces of my girls..."Keep your eyes focused on Jesus...keep your eyes focused on Jesus...keep your eyes focused on Jesus..."
Yet another moment of letting them go, of loosening my grip on my children, of allowing Christ to meet them where they are and bring them wholeness and peace.
May it be so.
