Is it Well with your Soul? Contentment Can be Ours!

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  

I Timothy 6:6-8

Our daughter, Carolyn, is expecting her second daughter any day now (in fact, she is due on Sunday, the day you will be reading this blog post!).  When that little baby enters the world, she will bring nothing with her - and she will be content when she is fed, dry, and cozy in her mother's arms.  Is there nothing more content than a sleeping baby?  Of course, as any grandparent knows, that contentment can be short-lived, and suddenly those little lungs will fill with cries that can be hard to decipher:  do you need more milk?  is your diaper wet?  why are you crying?  And nights without much sleep can lead to exhaustion and stress.....and lack of contentment.

Charles Spurgeon, one of most famous preachers of the 19th century, said this about contentment:

"You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.'  You make a mistake.  If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied it if were doubled." 

Those are challenging words, as are the words Paul addresses to young Timothy in today's scripture passage.  Paul wrote something similar to the church at Philippi in Philippians 4:11-12:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

I long for that kind of contentment in my life.  I want to say to God, yes, I want 'godliness with contentment.'  But I also want......a nice vacation somewhere warm.....and, now that I think about it, my 7-year-old-car is starting to show its wear.....and oh my, Christmas is almost here, and my list of 'must-purchase' gifts is long indeed....and my winter wardrobe could use some additions.....and.....and....and.....

Most of us have been given far more than we need, and yet, we want more.  When Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, he tells her he has living water.  She is intrigued and asks how she can get this miracle water.  Jesus' answer speaks to our longing for contentment that can only be filled with him:

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14).  

It's that easy - and that hard.  True contentment will only be found when we trust in Jesus, when we give up steering the ship and give the wheel to him.  It's a daily (sometimes hourly) decision, but the results - the glorious results - are worth it for all eternity.  

Lord, help me to find true contentment, like a newborn baby, in my savior's arms.  Help me trust you wholly to supply my every need, Amen.