Choosing contentment in a consumer based culture is challenging. I can easily get caught up in what I want. Whether it is a new pair of shoes or the ability to take a trip, I want what I want. At the heart of it is money. I need the financial ability to make those choices and fill those desires.
In my earlier years, I was on a mission trip with the boarders of the Untied States. We were fixing the front porch for an older woman who hardly had a roof over her head or food on her table. My young self was shocked that she lived with so little. We looked around and wondered why we were fixing her porch when she clearly needed a new roof.
We asked her why the porch was important to her. She talked about the joy she had sitting on the porch and waving to others as they went by. She talked about how God had blessed her and given her so much. She talked about her good health and beautiful family. Everything that brought her joy revolved around people and relationships and all I could think about was how she should want a roof.
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12: 13-15 NIV).
I am choosing contentment. I want to focus on relationships including my relationship with God over more stuff, more possessions or more money. I’m trying to scroll over the endless ads on social media trying to get me to buy something I don’t need. Instead I’m reaching out to someone I haven’t talked to in awhile. I’m checking in on the person who asked for prayer. I’m spending more time with God and less on Instagram.
How about you? Are you choosing contentment? Are willing to focus on relationships rather than possessions? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.