The word of the day: contentment. I woke up today before my alarm, oddly satisfying for me as I continue to try to live a more disciplined life now as a follower of Jesus. The old me would not have celebrated such a victory.
I moved slowly in my morning routine: worship, shower, COFFEE. I’ve been learning to love coffee without all the artificial sweeteners. No more caramel s’mores coconut fusions. Just coffee, cream, and two teaspoons of maple syrup.
The Lord has been showing me lately His desire for His people to be content in all things. It’s easy to throw around the word contentment. Contentment, like many things, can be easier said than done. Contentment in difficult seasons, in trials, in the mundane… that takes Jesus.
Humans are constantly raising the bar. My first time trying coffee, a little cream, a little sugar, and I was sure it was the absolute best thing in God’s creation. Then, as humans do, we lacked contentment and added more… more flavor, more sweeteners, maybe some chocolate and whipped cream.
What happens when He leads us back to just gratitude for coffee? When He tells us no more endless additions, or like for me, artificial flavors and sweeteners, could we be content with a coffee that isn’t quite as sweet as we might like? Maybe not as light as we might like? Not for one day, but for our life?
Can we, as Paul taught, (learning to be content in all things)? I’m talking about coffee, but it’s in all areas of our life, and it’s a radical issue for the western consumer world. Can we be content with simplicity and less? What if we were to go a step further and not consider the call to contentment in less a trial?
I can purchase those things for my coffee. I’m being asked not to. Can I be content as He leads me into who He created me to be, stripping off years of consumerism and influence culture? We, as humans, push the benchmark for pleasure in all things to the point that the things which once gave us pleasure no longer do, because there always has to be the next best thing.
We do it in all areas of life: eating, dressing, education, work, family, sex, alcohol. Like drugs, it starts with enjoying one thing, and then it becomes of no effect. The joy weans. We start searching for the next dopamine rush. Another “drug” is chosen, slightly different. Bigger rush. There is temporary joy and contentment, until there isn’t. It can be heroin, or coffee. The principle is the same.
We will never achieve contentment or be satisfied long-term by anything in this world. Jesus is the only One who can truly bring contentment. Things in this world are temporary: coffee, clothing, food, sex. Things that can be good, but weren’t created to be our primary source of contentment and joy. That is the world’s system. It’s not for the body of Christ.
Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to make our sensitivities great again. Let us find our joy in Jesus, who is eternal. Most importantly, let us find it in obedience and contentment. Follow Jesus as He is trying to show you who He created you to be. Let go of the old things and don’t look back. Let’s find our contentment in Christ, our joy in Him.
I say these things as I enjoy my simple coffee this morning. It doesn’t taste quite how my flesh would prefer; however, I’m content and have joy in Him. I’m pleasing Him and growing into who He’s calling me to be. I pray He guide us all in these things, and that this encourages you as well.
I love you so much, Jesus loves you more!
-Steph