Dear Friends,
Not too long ago a commercial for an insurance company told us in the 120 years that had passed since the company was founded they have survived, a Great Depression, 26 recessions, and 21 Presidents. Therefore, we should trust them with our money.
According to my own research, over the same time, there have been at least 250 different wars not to count all of the armed conflicts that never rose to the level of “war.”
The truth is it has all happened before. My own community has just been through a teacher’s strike. It is not the first time employees have been on strike and it will not be the last. Good or bad communities are divided and united every day.
Paul says to us ”. . . I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV).
Being people of the Kingdom of God means finding our contentment and security in something other than our present circumstances. It means finding them in Christ alone and that means having a long-term view of life. A view of life that sees everything through the lens of the eternal Kingdom of God.
If we live our lives with only a short term view of circumstances we can become overwhelmed by the events on the world stage and in our own communities. We can allow anxiety about tomorrow to cripple us.
Being content is an active choice. We can choose to be content regardless of our circumstances. Contentment makes us available for whatever God has for us. Whether it is prosperity or sitting in a prison cell.
Blessings,
Pastor Stephen