Content in God's Abundance

In the past month, Bryce our pastor went through a mini-series prompted by Walter Breuggeman's talk on the narrative of accumulation v. the narrative of abundance. While the world would have us anxiously seek after an accumulation of goods, things, titles, etc., God invites us to rest in His provision, focusing on the abundance of blessings He gives to us.

This morning in reading the scriptures prompted by my devotional, I was again struck by this theme. It certainly is easy to get caught up in the world's competition to do the most, be the best, have/get/buy the best or the most. In fact, it may not just come in the form of consumerism... although that is a part of it. Work-a-holism is a part of our culture which tries to convince is that the world just won't get by without us doing this or that. We convince ourselves of our importance and the need to do this work, instead of trusting that God will provide and allow us to complete our task. We convince ourselves that we need to work more, perhaps to earn more... and we convince ourselves that we need that.

In fact, a few months ago, I started getting nervous about the baby coming. All the propaganda out there does its best to convince us that we need tons of things for a baby. After watching the documentary "Babies", about 4 babies growing up in 4 parts of the world, I realized just how little we need. What babies really need, God has provided - loving parents and breastmilk. All the other extra things are so much appreciated and very nice, but no matter what we do or don't have, we can be so thankful for God's perfect provision.

On top of that, this weekend so many friends and family gathered to shower their very generous gifts on baby. We are so grateful for these many gifts that will certainly make things a lot easier and more manageable, but we first acknowledge that God is the giver and provider of the most necessary gifts.

Paul learned a similar lesson on contentedness:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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 everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13).

I realized as I was reading this verse this morning how often we take the last verse out of context. It's not that I don't think we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, but here Paul is specifically talking about how he has learned to be content. He repeats this twice in just 3 sentences in fact! First, this suggests that it is something that we can learn. So, we're not lost if we have trouble with it right now - there's hope that we can recognize God's abundance in whatever our situation. And second, this "do everything" in context seems to mean "be content in all circumstances".

Lord, today we ask that you teach us the secret of being content in Your perfect provision and abundant blessings. Open our eyes so that we may see what we truly need and all the overflowing blessings which surround us.