Good Day!

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

James 1.9-11, NIV

Let me remind you of James' readership--new Jewish Christians, scattered, their worlds turned upside down after they had travelled to Jerusalem to observe the annual Feast of Weeks, where they heard and received the Gospel. Almost to a person, these new believers were facing persecution--including starvation, torture, imprisonment. . . They were ostracized by the Jews and disowned by their families. As James put it, they were in most 'humble circumstances'. But, what did Jesus say in the Sermon on the Mount? Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5.10

These folks were familiar with the delicate flower blooming in the morning, and then withering with the scorching sun of the Middle East. . . so James points out that while riches bring comfort for today, they are fleeting; the rich are often lulled into false security because of their wealth, which often makes the simplicity of the Gospel message harder for them to accept. By the same token, hardship is for the day; there will be no trials in Heaven. One day, God Himself will wipe away our tears--no tear falls to the ground but what He sees it.

The affluence of our Western culture can lull us to sleep with no great care of an eternal perspective. Jesus said, What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8.36 Striving for earthly gain is anything but wrong--unless or until it becomes our driving force and focus. When that happens, it robs us of contentment, shifts our focus to the material, and steals the joy from our moments. Take stock a moment. . .

May I ask you, "What is your driving focus?"___________________________________________

If it is your career, home, looks, or even family. . . what would happen if you lost any or all of those things?

How is your contentment factor? ___________________________________________________

What do these verses indicate about contentment, and realizing it in our lives?________________________________________________________

Paul said, 'I have learned the secret of contentment. . . whether hungry or well fed. . .' he said that, from prison.

"If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment." Job 36.11

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6.6

Do you need to refine your focus, so that you may sight contentment on the horizon? How so?__________________________________________________

Pursuing godliness, growing a meaningful faith in Jesus Christ ought be the source of our contentment, though other things may bring happiness. While it seems that this life is all there is, in fact, it is just all we know--currently. It will be but a blip on the eternal timeline. Yet, it is our blip! I'm reminded of the psalmist's words--

Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90.12

Spend a moment on the questions above, won't you? Let nothing rob you of contentment. . .

Carpe Diem, my dear ones.

Christine