To Be (or not to be) Content
Years ago, when I traveled with 3-D (a drama ministry) I stayed in the home of a military family on the Dover Air Force Base. Directly inside the door, a large picture was dominant on the wall, done in a beautiful calligraphy script, which read, “I have learned whatever state I am in, therein to be content.” I smiled when I read it, because I could imagine that poor military wife schlepping her boxes and cartons from one base to another every few years. The Lord had obviously made that verse real to her, in all its applications (Phil.4:11).
Last night I read Psalm 16, and this verse leapt out at me: “Oh Lord you have assigned my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have falled for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance (Ps. 16:5).” It leapt out at me for two reasons. For one, it’s circled in red, leftover from another time when God spoke to me through this verse. But yesterday, it grabbed my attention because I had been thinking about Lebanon all day. With all the news about the war, I was reminded that at one time, I asked the Assemblies of God if I could be a missionary there. I wanted to go to Lebanon very badly, and I was sure that with my experience in Palestine (such a similar culture), I would be approved dans un instant (in an instant). But God said no, through the AGWM directors. I couldn’t get a visa to work there; missionaries there for years were already losing their visas to stay. It wasn’t the open door that I wished it would be. At the time, I could hardly understand the plan of God, but yesterday I saw that God has His reasons for all things. I would be there right now, if not for God’s direction. He is the one who has given me my portion and my cup. His provision has always been sure. He set me where I am today in France, with boundaries in pleasant places. And more than all that, he has given me an inheritance that will never perish, corrupt, or fade away.
I have a problem with contentment. I confess it to you. Maybe it comes from being a materialistic American, or it’s my ambitious personality, or perhaps its just a plain old sin nature that makes me always want more (or different) than what I have. When I was in Israel, there were times that I was positive that life would be better if I were in the States. But when I was in the States, all I wanted was to be back in Israel! So much of our time as humans is wasted in discontent—if only I had his money, or her figure, or their home, or his job, or that man, or those options, anything but what I have now! I don’t want to complain about my situation in life; I choose rather to be like David, who could look at his circumstances and say “This is what the Lord has given me, and I am truly blessed!” Of all the places I could be, (and there are places way worse than this!) God put me here in a pleasant place. In what pleasant boundaries has God placed you?
In reflection on the current situation in Israel and Lebanon: When I mentioned to my brother that I once asked to go to Lebanon, and he said I have a “propensity” for war-torn countries. I told him, no, I simply have a propensity for Muslim countries and unfortunately, they are often war-torn. Don’t worry, I’ve never asked to go to Sudan or Somalia.
I have no doubt that politicians, news radio, and the worldwide press are commenting around the clock on the events there, but I can only think of names and faces of friends that are actually living that nightmare. Please remember both sides in your prayers, because there is a Christian Church in both countries; there are missionaries in both countries, and there are lost souls in both countries.
Last night I read Psalm 16, and this verse leapt out at me: “Oh Lord you have assigned my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have falled for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance (Ps. 16:5).” It leapt out at me for two reasons. For one, it’s circled in red, leftover from another time when God spoke to me through this verse. But yesterday, it grabbed my attention because I had been thinking about Lebanon all day. With all the news about the war, I was reminded that at one time, I asked the Assemblies of God if I could be a missionary there. I wanted to go to Lebanon very badly, and I was sure that with my experience in Palestine (such a similar culture), I would be approved dans un instant (in an instant). But God said no, through the AGWM directors. I couldn’t get a visa to work there; missionaries there for years were already losing their visas to stay. It wasn’t the open door that I wished it would be. At the time, I could hardly understand the plan of God, but yesterday I saw that God has His reasons for all things. I would be there right now, if not for God’s direction. He is the one who has given me my portion and my cup. His provision has always been sure. He set me where I am today in France, with boundaries in pleasant places. And more than all that, he has given me an inheritance that will never perish, corrupt, or fade away.
I have a problem with contentment. I confess it to you. Maybe it comes from being a materialistic American, or it’s my ambitious personality, or perhaps its just a plain old sin nature that makes me always want more (or different) than what I have. When I was in Israel, there were times that I was positive that life would be better if I were in the States. But when I was in the States, all I wanted was to be back in Israel! So much of our time as humans is wasted in discontent—if only I had his money, or her figure, or their home, or his job, or that man, or those options, anything but what I have now! I don’t want to complain about my situation in life; I choose rather to be like David, who could look at his circumstances and say “This is what the Lord has given me, and I am truly blessed!” Of all the places I could be, (and there are places way worse than this!) God put me here in a pleasant place. In what pleasant boundaries has God placed you?
In reflection on the current situation in Israel and Lebanon: When I mentioned to my brother that I once asked to go to Lebanon, and he said I have a “propensity” for war-torn countries. I told him, no, I simply have a propensity for Muslim countries and unfortunately, they are often war-torn. Don’t worry, I’ve never asked to go to Sudan or Somalia.
I have no doubt that politicians, news radio, and the worldwide press are commenting around the clock on the events there, but I can only think of names and faces of friends that are actually living that nightmare. Please remember both sides in your prayers, because there is a Christian Church in both countries; there are missionaries in both countries, and there are lost souls in both countries.