Contentment
What will make me content where I am? What lesson do I need to learn, like Paul, to be content in all circumstances? Shari and I were discussing this last night in the context of discovering that my ordination that I've had since 2006 was actually withdrawn in 2007. Because of a glitch in paperwork and communication, nobody communicated with us, and we've been thinking I've been ordained this whole time. I will probably receive a letter sometime this summer confirming the situation. But that's not the point.
The point is that, in that context, we were talking about contentment. We're not content here. Why? Life is good, in general. Yes, that was a disappointment, and we've had a few of those, and a few wounds here, too. But, in general, life is very good. We're getting paid well - more than we ever have, and probably more than most people in my position around the area. I really enjoy most aspects of my job. 95% of the people in the church appreciate me and my work tremendously, and tell me so. My kids just finished baseball season, and had fun doing it. I've got a great relationship with my kids and my wife. Even those times of disappointment and wounding are opportunities for growth, and we know that God is working those together for good, even though they may not feel great at the moment. So, why this feeling of discontentment? Why can't we be like Paul, whose secret was, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"?
I think it's because we don't have any close friends here. We're missing that deep relationship element. While we still need to learn to be content, even without that - we need to learn to allow God to be all we need, including that deep friend that sticks closer than a brother - there is that thing missing. So, I'm praying for a deep friendship here with a couple that Shari and I both click with. I don't know if that will be inside or outside the church, but we're praying for it.
Along the same lines, I'm praying that the staff of our church will go deeper in relationship through shared experiences. While they are deep, and they work well together, we're not a deep team. We don't have those same share experiences that make us friends, even if we didn't attend church together. I want that for this team because I'm convinced that just experiencing church life together isn't enough. It's great, and there is a spiritual depth that can be gained through that, but I don't think it's enough. God, please help us to go deeper through shared experiences outside the church.
The point is that, in that context, we were talking about contentment. We're not content here. Why? Life is good, in general. Yes, that was a disappointment, and we've had a few of those, and a few wounds here, too. But, in general, life is very good. We're getting paid well - more than we ever have, and probably more than most people in my position around the area. I really enjoy most aspects of my job. 95% of the people in the church appreciate me and my work tremendously, and tell me so. My kids just finished baseball season, and had fun doing it. I've got a great relationship with my kids and my wife. Even those times of disappointment and wounding are opportunities for growth, and we know that God is working those together for good, even though they may not feel great at the moment. So, why this feeling of discontentment? Why can't we be like Paul, whose secret was, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"?
I think it's because we don't have any close friends here. We're missing that deep relationship element. While we still need to learn to be content, even without that - we need to learn to allow God to be all we need, including that deep friend that sticks closer than a brother - there is that thing missing. So, I'm praying for a deep friendship here with a couple that Shari and I both click with. I don't know if that will be inside or outside the church, but we're praying for it.
Along the same lines, I'm praying that the staff of our church will go deeper in relationship through shared experiences. While they are deep, and they work well together, we're not a deep team. We don't have those same share experiences that make us friends, even if we didn't attend church together. I want that for this team because I'm convinced that just experiencing church life together isn't enough. It's great, and there is a spiritual depth that can be gained through that, but I don't think it's enough. God, please help us to go deeper through shared experiences outside the church.
Labels: Family, Friendship, Parenting, Personal, Work
posted by Pastor Paul at
9:00 AM
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