LEARNING CONTENTMENT
August 28th, 2008 categories: Grazing Spiritual Pastures
Philipians 4:11b (NAS) For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
This particular Scripture has always been difficult for me … in the sense that I thought it was quite noble … but beyond human possibility … at least in MY humanness. I care about way too much in life … not just about the things that we probably should care about … but those things that cause worries, anxiety, etc. So, when things seem to go down the “not so positive” path, I tend to think of the idea of contentment as being a “pie in the sky” possibility. I’m just being honest here! Sometimes I wish I didn’t care so much.
But how do you NOT care about all of the stuff in life? Hmm! Well … I’ve tried the denial path and believe me, that doesn’t work … just shuts you down … which isn’t so good for the abundant living, full of peace and joy life we are looking for. I’ve tried the venting, the crying out to God path … which works better … Certainly, God responds to our cries … but still no real resolution … at least with regard to the problem of caring too much about life’s issues.
Lately, I have had a statement stirring within me. It’s a German phrase that I learned back in my youth when I stayed in Germany two Summers. The phrase is, “Es Machts Nichts” (pronounced, S-Mox-Nix). Literally, it means, “It matters not.” The Germans use it in a way similar to the way we might respond to a question, “Do you want the brown one or the black one”? “It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t have a strong opinion. I’m neutral.” Sometimes we Americans even say, “Whatever!” or “I don’t care.”
Which brings us back to our CARING TOO MUCH theme.
So the cry in my being (of late) has been, “Lord, I want to be able to look at life and all of the “stuff” that happens (both good and bad) and say, “Es Machts Nichts (S-Mox-Nix). It matters not. I’m neutral. I don’t care.” But not with a defeatest, non-motivated, kindof attitude but rather,”I’ll take whatever comes my way, trust You in it, and trust that You are working good in it and out of it and in me and through me! I’ll step into it with faith, listening for that Good, that Purpose You have in it.”
Why DO things matter so much anyway? Why can’t we be neutral about things? Two points to ponder on this subject, no explanations, just points to ponder (taken from the book, The Shack, by William P. Young, that I have just read):
1. “You try to make sense of the world in which you live based on a very small and incomplete picture of reality.” p. 126
2. “The real underlying flaw in your life … is that you don’t think that I (God) am good.” p. 126
Extremely poignant. Selah! (which means “Think about it!”)
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