WHERE IS YOUR SECURITY – IN MONEY OR IN GOD?

November 3, 2017October 27, 2017 | lindamowles

In every home there must be time set aside to handle the financial matters of the family. It might be weekly, monthly … whatever fits for the individual situation. While there are at times not many “finances” to manage, there always seems to be an unending supply of bills to pay.

No matter what our station in life may be, we must deal with money because we use it to pay for the goods and services our lives depend upon.

But, what is it that we really rely upon for security in our life?

Jesus spoke about money on many occasions. For example, in Matthew 6:24, Jesus said:

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.“

Paul gave additional admonition regarding money to the young pastor Timothy when he admonished:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

We must be careful not to let money become our master, to prevent money from taking the place in our heart that rightfully belongs to God. God is deserving of our love and adoration, and He alone is the One to whom we should be devoted.

When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to testify of His words in nearby villages, He told them to take only a staff, implicitly telling them that God would provide that which they needed along this trip. This occasion is recorded in the book of Mark, chapter 6.

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff–no bread, no bag, no money in their belts–but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.”

Mark 6:7-9 ESV

The result of their journey is reported in verses 12 and 13 of this chapter:

“So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”

No report is made that they lacked what they needed. Rather, God supplied their needs and they were able to do Jesus’ work throughout the land.

Remember that Scripture says that God has unlimited resources with which to help His people. God said:

“For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.”

Psalm 50:10 KJV

Cows grazing in pasture along highway in Virginia cropped — Cows seen grazing in field along a Virginia highway.

Recall, also, that God sent manna to the Israelite people in the wilderness when there was no grocery in which to buy bread. He sent quail for meat when nothing but desert surrounded them. God has His ways to provide for His children.

The writer of the book of Hebrews admonishes:

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.“”

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

It is not sinful to plan and work toward a strong financial position for your family. Money itself is not evil. But, we must remember that God gives us everything, even the health and wisdom to work, and the talents to be used in our life work. Indeed, He has even given us the gift of life itself. All things are from Him.

With this in mind, we are to be content with what God has given us. Even when we are in desperate financial straits, God has promised that He is with us and His children would not be forsaken. This is the definition of true security.

Father, forgive me when I have let my sense of security come from the bank account or pension plan; forgive me when money has become my security blanket. I pray that I would rely on You alone for my security, as You alone are capable and dependable, and You alone love me with an everlasting love, through Your Son and my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

REFOCUS ON CONTENTMENT

August 11, 2017July 31, 2017 | lindamowles

Have you ever given your young child or grandchild a shiny quarter with their eyes open wide at the wonder of the coin in their hands? Then, when we are a bit older, we receive our first paycheck. No matter the work, you remember the first time you see a check with your name on it because we are seeing the fruit of your labor.

Something happens as we move on with our life. Suddenly we realize that we don’t have that same joy over our situation as we did when we were young. This is not a new phenomenon. Rather, it is as old as mankind itself.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 2:16-17 ESV.

Adam and Eve had everything at their disposal, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Seems like they would be contented, doesn’t it?

Ozark Mountain River — Mountain River in the Ozarks

But then came the serpent who misquoted God when he asked “Did God really say …?“

Ultimately, Eve’s eyes were refocused:

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:1-6 ESV. They became discontented when they looked at the one thing they could not have and desired it so much that they disobeyed their Creator God to get it. Of course the result of that disobedience was swift punishment – expulsion from the garden accompanied by hard work and labor.

Contentment. Why was she not content with what she had? Because she looked at what she did not have instead of what she had.

Yosemite water fall and downsream 2011 (C) — Yosemite National Park waterfall and downstream.

How much happier would we be if we were content with what God has given us rather than comparing our condition with others, specifically with others who we believe are more wealthy, more healthy, more wise, more … whatever, than we are.

Jesus said:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33 ESV

Think about what the Lord endured for you and for me. Then look at what He has blessed you with … even the hard things and know that nothing can compare with what He went through. Praise Him for all things, and you will see that your joy has returned and you are contented in a way that was inconceivable before.

Relax, you know that your Savior and your Heavenly Father know you better than you know yourself! The Holy Spirit will provide that which you need most. Seek first the kingdom of God and all the rest will fall into place.

USED Asleep on daddy's lap - snickers — Contentment — Snickers is asleep on Daddy’s lap.

Contentment comes when we focus on our Lord Jesus Christ and rest in Him.

Father, forgive me when I have focused on things that I don’t have or can’t do rather than focusing on You and giving thanks for all the marvelous blessings You shower upon me each moment of every day. Refocus my attention on You and away from that which would cause discontent and unrest. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, NO. 6, LOVE, PART THREE.

May 20, 2016 | lindamowles

We are continuing Dr. R.C. Sproul’s identification of the characteristics that should be evident in the Christian’s life and heart when Agape love is present through the Holy Spirit. We began consideration of these characteristics last week by noting that:

Agape love gives us the desire in our hearts to worship God;
Agape love believes and trusts God’s Word; and
Agape love recognizes God’s absolute right to govern us.

What does Scripture say?

Let us now consider several additional characteristics of Agape love.

Agape love enables us to desire justice for others.

David, in Psalms 82:3-4 says:

“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

The prophet Micah says that God has told us what we are to do in Micah 6:8:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Of course, we know that Jesus was asked “who is my neighbor” in Luke 10:29 and in response, the parable of the Good Samaritan was given, telling us that all persons are our neighbors. Agape love enables us to want, and to work for, justice and mercy for persons we come in contact with, whether physically or through hearing of their difficulties. They are our neighbors and Agape love encourages our participation with them.

Agape love encourages us to be content in any situation.

Paul said that he was content in whatever the circumstance presented in Philippians 4:11-12. Paul exhibited this contentment when he and Silas were in prison and, after being beaten and put in chains, they were praying and singing praises to God, so loudly that the other prisoners heard them. Acts 16.

Paul understood that contentment is possible when we remember that God is sovereign and that He is in control of the events and circumstances that confront us. Therefore, through His sovereignty, we know that He will use the situation for His purposes and for His glory. We often may not know why certain things happen, but we know the One who has ordained and permitted those things for His reasons and for our ultimate benefit. We, therefore, can be content in His provision and grace.

In 1 Peter 1:6 the demand for contentment sounds impossible when Peter says:

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials….”

Rejoicing while suffering — this is evidence of Agape love because only the Holy Spirit can enable us to do so.

Agape love enables us to resist the sin of bitterness.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:31:

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

The writer of Hebrews 12:15 warns:

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled….”

James 3:14 warns that bitter envy and selfish ambition do not come from heaven but rather are earthly, unspiritual and of the devil. James then says:

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

James 3:16

Jonathan Edwards describes the response to bitterness in Charity and Its Fruits as follows:

An envious Christian, a malicious Christian, a cold and hard-hearted Christian, is the greatest absurdity and contradiction. It is as if one should speak of dark brightness, or a false truth!

Simply put, bitterness, gossip, resentment … none of this has any place in a heart that is filled with Agape love. Using Christ as our Guide, we see no evidence of this response when He was lied about by false witnesses, rejected and abandoned by His own disciples, accused by the hypocrites in the Synagogue, or when He heard cries for His crucifixion from the very people who within that same week were clamoring for Him to become their leader. Another example of Jesus’ Agape love was His response when He was nailed to the cross and people were “wagging their heads” at Him. Mark 15:29. Rather than bitterness, Jesus’ prayer was

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

Luke 23:54.

There are times that we forget that the Agape love in our heart through the Holy Spirit is simply another way of saying God’s love is within us. The Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, has the same power and strength as the other Persons in the Trinity and it is this Spirit that has the power to enable us to love as only God can love. The Holy Spirit can impart God’s love to us because He is God … and He has provided this same love to all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about the awesomeness of Agape love that is available to us, and then let us commit ourselves to putting that love in practice as we go through our lives, day by day.

How does this apply to my daily life?

Let’s get practical – What can we do to exercise each of these characteristics?

Dr. Sproul suggests using what he calls the Judgment of Charity. The Judgment of Charity is simply the practice of giving others the benefit of the doubt, believing them to have acted in love and not hate, responding in love and not as an enemy. Charity makes it a practice to consider other’s communication in the best light, or the best case scenario, even when that person’s actions or words have wounded us.

Rather than thinking of some negative ulterior motive for why they acted the way they did, the Christian exercising this fruit of the Spirit views the actions of others through the lens of Agape love. In so doing we are following the example of Jesus in our relationship with Him.

How often have we hurt our Savior by failing to honor our commitments, by failing to obey His commands, by failing to serve Him to the utmost of our abilities even when we have promised to do so? Yet, despite knowing our failings, He went to the cross for us, took our shame and punishment, and paid the price of our sin.

The evidence of the fruit of Agape love in our heart is the Spirit’s enabling us to love God and others as Christ loved us. It is a love that honors God and His Word. It is a love that serves others without demanding anything in return. It is a love that enables the Christian to love the unlovely, precisely because the Christian is also aware that she is a sinner and is repugnant to our Holy God, BUT FOR the righteousness of Christ that she has been given through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise the Lord for His wonderful mercy and grace and for Agape Love.

Damaris sings How Deep the Father’s Love for Us on her The Heart of God album. It is a beautiful song that touches my heart each time I hear it. Let the words speak to you as you consider Agape Love and your response to the Spirit as He leads you into a new appreciation of God’s Love! Praise His Holy Name!

Agape love – it truly is way more than casseroles and cards!

Next week we will begin our look at the fruit of the Spirit – Joy.

Blessings to you and I pray that you will continue to walk with me as we learn about the fruit of the Holy Spirit and as we mature in our transformation into Christian believers who speak and act as Jesus did and who share in the passions that Jesus had for the lost sheep and for the worship of His Father, the Almighty God.

CONTENTMENT – A BIBLICAL POSTURE!

March 29, 2016March 30, 2016 | lindamowles

We see something on television about a new product that makes us consider whether our older version of the same thing is still a viable alternative for use. Or, we see something that our neighbor has purchased and it appears to be better than what we have so we want to “upgrade”, shall we say!

You know the feeling … that discontent with what we have or with what we are doing?

We compare ourselves with others and, somehow, we way too often come up lacking.

If only I had that job instead of this one…
If only my hair would …
If only I had received that promotion …
If only I had that house, or car, or dress, instead of this one …
If only I was as slender as that lady …
If only my children were like theirs …
If only …

Our canine daughters, Cuddles and Snickers, illustrate this discontent quite often when they both vie for the same toy even though the toy box is filled with other playthings, sometimes even a duplicate of that which they are fighting over.

Cuddles and Snickers tug of war — This is mine! Get your own!

Don’t misunderstand me, there are times when people are mistreated and abused and there is a legitimate reason for the hurt that is felt. We must work to resolve those issues and/or injustices.

I am referring to discontent that is also known as covetousness. I can hear the voices now. “I know that the tenth commandment is ‘Thou Shall Not Covet’! I don’t do that!”

Really?

That was my first response when I was reading an article entitled “Thou Shall Not Covet” by Jason Helopoulos in the June 2015 Tabletalk magazine from Ligonier Ministries. His words were convicting in the first order. In speaking of the reason that coveting is so harmful, he states:

Coveting pulls the heart down into the pit of self-seeking and the muck and mire of envy, slander, adultery, pride, dishonor, murder, thievery, and idolatry. It has rightly been said that when we break any of the first nine commandments, we also break the tenth commandment.

For us to combat covetousness, first we need to follow Jesus’ commands in Matthew 6:33:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

As a youth, I sang a song that said something like this: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” When our eyes are on the Lord and His gracious gifts to us, the things of earth will begin to dim in our eyes.

Second, we need to follow the example of Paul:

I have learned in whatever situation to be content.

Philippians 4:11b.

Contentment is not something we can buy, fight for or grab – it is something in which we should rest. God is sovereign and He, therefore, knows exactly what we need and His grace is sufficient for every trial. Quoting Rev. Helopoulos again:

If God thought it was good for us to have more, he would give us more. Every Christian rightly seeks to maintain this mind-set. And when this is the case, what joy contentment brings to the Christian life.

Third, we should be thankful. Thankfulness forms a hedge around us enabling us to focus on God rather than on the transient things that form our world. It is hard to be thankful when you are coveting that which others have. Likewise, it is hard to be discontented when you are thankful for the blessings provided by our Sovereign God.

As a result of polio, I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis (twisting of the spine) when I was 6 years old. When I was 9 years of age, I was put into a body cast and then had surgery to try to stop the twisting that would otherwise have taken my life by age 25. Although I was in the body cast for over a year, I didn’t miss any school because I had a home-bound teacher from the Chicago school system.

Linda on hospital cart revised — This was me in the body cast. It began behind my head and then it encompassed my body all the way down to my hips and then to my left knee. I could not raise my head, even to read a book or see television. That is why I wore prism glasses so I could look through them and see what was in the room, rather than just the ceiling.

Rather than being thankful for the healing that was going on in my body, I was crying one day when she came into my room . Rather than giving me a shoulder to cry on, she demanded “What’s wrong with you!” My response was a feeble, “Because I’m in a body cast!” She then taught me a lesson that I have not forgotten over the 55 years since she spoke these words:

“You are crying over a temporary thing. A child down the street has brittle bones and there is no cure … she breaks a bone when she turns in bed and she is constantly in excruciating pain. Now, what is wrong with spending some time in bed … you have a determined end to your procedure, she does not! So I ask you again, ‘Why are you crying?’”

Although I could not articulate it then, through the decades since she said those words, I have found them to be true … when you are hurting, when there are problems and difficulties that are overwhelming, just open your eyes and look around and you will find others who have problems far more difficult than your own. This will put your burdens in perspective.

While it is tempting to keep your eyes on your own pain and problems, engaging in self-pity is never productive. Step back from the situation. Don’t become discontented. Rather, look to the Lord, rest in God’s unfailing grace and give Him thanks for His loving hand that encompasses you even when you are not aware of it and problems abound. Psalm 139 states that God knows our every move, word and action. And, nowhere in scripture are these verses revoked.

When things are difficult, when pain has set in and when your world is in a cataclysmic nose-dive, you can trust that your Lord has you in His hands and that God knows exactly what is going on. I don’t mean that he will immediately fix whatever the situation is, but you can rest assured that His grace and comfort will be poured out to help you through the trial.

Discontentment – while it often is a reality, it is always sin. I must acknowledge that it is a sin and then repent, look to my Lord and give Him thanks for the salvation that He provides to me. Indeed, even the breath that I breathe is a gift from Him. No matter how difficult our life is on this earth, it is for a short time – eternal life granted by our Lord is for, well, eternity!

Now, what about you?

Discontented? Confess, repent and allow His comfort to encompass you. Praise His Name and be thankful. Discontentment will vanish, and you will be able to live life to the fullest in His grace and love.

Father, forgive me for whining and crying about my circumstances when You have them in your control and your grace and mercy has lifted me above my circumstances. Forgive me when I sink in the muck and mire of discontentment rather than realizing that You have already lifted me into your Courts through Christ my Lord and Savior. May I praise your Name today.

REST – GET IT WHERE YOU CAN!

August 12, 2015 | lindamowles

We were out to eat last weekend when a family passed us on their way to the restaurant table … a young child was asleep on his Daddy’s shoulder. What caught my attention was this sleeping child’s hand that was hanging over the man’s arm – the child was so sound asleep, his hand was absolutely limp so that it waved and wobbled with each step the man took.

Think about the last time you have really watched a child sleep. They seem to be able to sleep almost anywhere, with no trouble. Asleep at the porch table … I guess the food was not brought fast enough!

Then again, swinging and bouncing can sometimes lead to a tired child; touching the carpet with your tip‐toes can be hard for a little guy!

Swinging and bouncing can be exhausting!

Think about being asleep with all sorts of commotion going on around you.

We have all seen little ones who are asleep in the car seat or carrier. A common sight often as infants are being carried through the store, swinging on Mom’s arm.

When we see these little ones we want to pray for their future, that they would know the Lord and for all the dreams, hopes and aspirations that come with new life.

Then there is the sleep of a child in the arms of one who loves him/her. We love the times that our children and grandchildren have climbed up into waiting arms and cuddled, secure in the embrace of a parent/grandparent who loves them, who will defend them, and care for them even when they are asleep and dreaming their wonderful infant dreams.

Grandfather and infant grandson resting together!

While we know that sleep is mandatory, that it is something that we must have for us to be healthy, often we adults simply do not get enough of it. Unfortunately, the pace of our world with jobs, housework, family, church, social obligations and who knows what else [you fill in the blank], creates such a frenetic atmosphere that we as adults simply cannot rest, relax … or sleep.

But sleep does not elude us just because of our calendars. Sometimes we have physical issues such as pain from an injury or surgery. Then too there are the psychological, emotional and spiritual issues that claim our night hours. It might be that we have worries about finances or health of ourselves, family or friends. There could be concern about employment security, about financing retirement, or about obtaining that first job in a market where jobs are truly scarce. Perhaps it is concern about words spoken that should not have been; deeds that we knew should be done but which were not; attitudes that colored our views of people and conversations which were unkind, at best. And aging, for some reason, seems to rob us of sleep so that it is harder to fall and stay asleep than it was years earlier.

Just as we cuddle our grandchildren, Scripture teaches that God longs for us to come to Him with outstretched arms.

God says in Isaiah 49:15 [NIV]:

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! ^“

Again, in Isaiah 66:13 [NIV], the Prophet records God as saying:

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfortyou; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

David knew of this longing. Psalm 139 is an incredibly beautiful song talking of God’s love and His care for His children. I urge you to read the entire Psalm, but verses 8 through 10 [ESV] describe the omnipresence of God’s love and care:

If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Hundreds of years after Psalm 139 was written, Jesus said:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 [ESV]

As Christians, the closeness that we have with God is described by Paul in Romans 8:15:

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [ESV]

Where can you get rest? Ultimately, true rest is only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who has, through His death and resurrection, secured our ability to call out to God, “Abba Father”.

Believe in Him, then rest in Him, Beloved. He will hold you through all your difficulties, and He will never let you go!

So, where do you find your rest?

CAMPING AND CICADAS – LIVING SLOW AND LIVING FAST!

July 14, 2015July 14, 2015 | lindamowles

We were camping at the Panther Creek State Park in Morristown, Tennessee recently. It is a beautiful park, with great facilities including a playground, swimming pool, trails, big fields for soccer or just for running, and beautiful overlooks.

Differing camping styles was on vivid display since there was a tent camping couple immediately next to our RV and a small tent across the street for a family with two children.

It was glorious. Time to relax, to read, to just contemplate the glories of our Lord’s creation. When we had the campfire along with the obligatory s’mores, the two girls from across the street joined in, and later their parents came to tell them it was time for bed, and then the girls’ parents sat down and joined our circle of conversation. What a great way to meet people and share our Christian experience, around the campfire!

At this campground, the RV backed up to the woods and the fireflies in the evening were myriad. Each evening when dusk descended, the chirping of thousands of cicadas was heard, loud and clear, in a way that is impossible in urban life. We might hear a couple of crickets in the backyard: but in the campground woods, the din from the cicadas was positively deafening.

Cicadas. They are an interesting creation of our God and a direct counterpoint to a camping experience – talk about fast living! The 17 year cicada lives underground, around the base of trees in forests and woodland areas, and they dig tunnels in the dirt as their living quarters for 17 years. Then they come out from their underground nursery, after maturing for all those years, by climbing out of “escape chimneys” that they have dug to the surface.

When the ground temperature reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit, they receive a signal. The insects rise up and wriggle out of their burrows to take to the sunlight and fly to freedom, well actually they are not so much looking for freedom as for a mate. Then, after 4 to 6 weeks, during which time the males have mated and the females have laid their eggs underground, they die. Seventeen years later, the ritual occurs again, and the beat goes on.

The Preacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament of the Bible considers life under the sun and calls it “vanity”. R. C. Sproul and other theologians don’t define “vanity” as being vain or of interest in and to oneself, and it certainly is not a table in the boudoir. Rather, Biblical “vanity” is defined as being “futile”. In other words, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes is saying that life is futile – there is no point to it and it just exists and repeats without any ultimate meaning. That certainly seems to be descriptive of the cicada’s life.

But, whether or not the cicadas are a 17-year-occurring annoyance or if they have a significant role to play in the ecological foundation of our world, it is certain that our human lives are not meant to be played out in such manner. We are not insignificant insects to God, the Creator of thousands of galaxies.

The fact of the matter is that God sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to this sin-sick world. He died for us to pay the price of our sin. If we believe that he died and rose again from the dead, and if we repent of our sins and claim Him as our Savior, by faith we will be declared to be a Child of God.

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes concludes by saying:

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commands, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Do you want meaning for your life? There is no secret or magic pill. To find meaning, just reach out and grab the outstretched nail-pierced hand of Jesus. Fear God and keep his commandments. This is the whole duty of man and woman! This provides life’s meaning. This is fulfilment!

Amen and amen.

OUR DOGS AND I WANT THAT! (A repost)

May 19, 2015May 22, 2015 | lindamowles

We have two Miniature Pincher (MinPin) canine children, Cuddles and Snickers. They are shelter dogs so we don’t know their life stories. Although not related or the same age, they get along famously, even sleeping in the same “bed” as we are working in the office.

Cuddles and Snickers - Two Peas in a Pod — Cuddles and Snickers – Two Peas in a Pod

At times, they do their “Doggie Meerkats” impression as they peer through the window blinds, balancing on the arm of a rocking recliner, no small feat (feet!).

Then there are other times they play outside, running and chasing as if they were greyhounds (the breed of dog we had prior to downsizing!).

However, such is not always the case.

A very long time ago, Aesop created a fable about a dog and its reflection. The dog is carrying a stolen bone [although other variations say it was a piece of meat or cheese] as he crosses a stream. He sees his reflection in the water and believes that it is another dog. He also notices that the “other” dog has a bone and it is bigger and better than the one he has. So, he opens his mouth to bark at the other dog to get that trophy and, in so doing, the bone in his own mouth falls into the stream. Now, neither the dog nor his reflection has a bone. Aesop fables

I see this fable played out in our own family room. When one dog is playing with a toy or chewing on a bone, it matters not that there are 3 other toys/bones on the floor; the second MinPin is jealous and wants what the first dog has. In short, the only toy that is worthwhile is the one that I don’t have! So, often, a tug of war ensues.

How like children to fight over the blue ball when there is a red one right next to it! How like teenagers to fight and maneuver their way into dating the “in” person when there are others in the peer group who never even merit a glance! How like adults who want the next electronic toy when they haven’t really figured out how to use the one they already have!

What the dogs, and we, are reflecting by their activity is discontentment. We laugh when we see our MinPins doing this, and we laugh when we see toddlers doing this; we hurt when we see teens doing this; but seldom do we recognize when we are doing it.

I don’t believe that God sees any humor in this type action. We can seek to make our lives better or to do more for others, but in all things the watchword should be contentment!

In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul said that he was content in whatever the circumstance that was presented to him — plenty and hunger; abundance and need.

Further, we should be content even when no one is watching. In Ephesians 6:5-6, Paul is talking to slaves about their relationship with their taskmasters:

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.”

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul speaks of contentment and the lure of greed. In verses 6-9, he says:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

Rather than hustling for gain, it is contentment that honors the Sovereign God who reigns over all and in whom we find our life and salvation through His Son, our Lord. He knows His plans for us … our salvation is secure, and because that is so, everything else falls into proper focus.

Your current circumstance may not be to your liking, but we are called to be content, even as we seek His face for relief. Look to the Lord — contentment in our heart and soul is possible through the King of Peace. Watch Him work and be amazed!

Don’t drop the bone as you try to grab for something else … be content. This is the Lord’s desire for His children.