I remember being floored back in April this year (2019). That was when the famous Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire in Paris, France. This came back to my mind recently as I read an update on how repairs to the cathedral were progressing.
People were grieved, crushed, and devastated by this unfortunate event, but the things that we weren't bothered by are events that probably grieved the Holy Spirit. Honestly, I think that the Holy Spirit was grieved by the response of the Church. We were so upset over a *building* that people were posting about it, donating to fix it, and raising awareness of this tragedy. Yet, we were largely silent regarding the world refugee crisis. We weren't donating to help asylum seekers at our door. We weren't raising awareness over human rights violations & violence happening in parts of Asia & Africa that were happening at the same time.
When we care more about buildings than lives being lost, we grieve the Holy Spirit.
When we care more about our safety & comfort than helping those trying to survive, we grieve the Holy Spirit.
When we aren't bothered by those who are fleeing violence & persecution, the Holy Spirit is grieved.
This should bother us, but we don't seem to be losing sleep over the children still detained in for-profit prisons within our borders. We don't seem impacted over the plight of the refugees or asylum-seekers. We aren't broken over those enslaved around the world & even in our own countries today.
So what needs to happen?
We need to change. We need to ask God to shift the priorities in our heart until our hearts match His. We should ask the Spirit to help us let go of the things that aren't important and focus our time, energy, and money on God's kingdom priorities.
May we be filled with a passion and a boldness for actually telling other people the Good News.
May we use the variety of news sources, not just to catch up on local or national news, but to pray over world events.
May we find ways to simplify our lives so we can give our time, talents, and money to help those on the margins of society.
May we be grieved and broken over the things that grieve the Spirit. And may we be moved to get involved to work towards righting injustices and interceding those who can't speak for themselves.
Friday, November 29, 2019
Monday, November 11, 2019
What to Pray for Soldiers, and the Church in the US too
Another US holiday has rolled around, which means I get practice in the Discipline of Silence as patriotic talk increases in churches around Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans' Day.
As someone who has served on the mission field and has looked at the US from the outside, I have come realize that nationalism and patriotism is what is referred to as a "golden calf" inside some church leadership circles. It is something that may not quite line up with Scripture, but if someone suggests toning it down, or leaving it out of the worship service entirely, the leader who left it out will definitely be hearing multiple complaints. So many in leadership do not try to tear down this golden calf.
But I want to be real and open here on this blog today.
Folks, I struggle with these patriotic holidays being in the church, because I can't really see Jesus accepting praising the military in the temple or synagogues in His day & age.
Frankly, I wrestle with these holidays period. The only way that I can go along with them mildly is to create a parallel Christian allegory that I can get behind.
On Memorial Day, I take time to remember the martyrs of the Christian faith and the heroes of the faith who fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel to all peoples.
On Independence Day, I celebrate the freedom that I have through Christ, as He overcomes my earthly nature and tendencies.
On Veteran's Day, I freeze. I don't have a ready allegory to apply, yet even now I hear the Spirit nudging me to pray for soldiers. The Bible teaches that we are to pray for all people and that includes soldiers.
Now my prayers may look quite different from yours, but this is what I'm compelled to pray for soldiers:
1. I pray that they will find salvation in Christ alone.
2. I pray that they will obey God and His laws, over man's law, even if it means that they will be punished for disobeying man's law.
3. I pray that they will have the wisdom to know when to question & refuse to follow orders that would cause them to disobey God. I ask for courage and boldness in living this out.
4. I pray that they will live out Christ's commands to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors.
5. I pray that they will find alternative, non-lethal ways to end violence and conflicts.
6. I pray that God will not leave them broken over the orders they have followed that caused them to end lives. I pray that when they regret and repent of their actions, they will find the reconciliation and redemption that God offers as they seek forgiveness.
7. I pray that they be welcomed by the Church, not as heroes who should be revered for using violence in the name of defense, but rather as prodigals who have wandered into dangerous ground for Christians, but have still walked in the doors of our churches.
I also pray for the Church in the US:
1. I pray that we recognize that we are praising people for using violence to end lives. This is not something to rejoice in.
2. I pray that we begin to mourn for the loss of lives, not just of our soldiers, but of the enemy soldiers as well. May we be grieved by all lives that are ended by weapons, especially those who aren't serving God.
3. I pray that we begin to pray consistently for our enemies. Pray that they encounter the living Christ. Pray that all soldiers turn from their wicked ways and begin to follow Jesus.
4. I pray that we see clearly the ways that our culture has set itself up on the altars of our churches to be worshiped and I pray that we tear down these altars as we fully pursue God.
5. I pray that the church will trust the mercy and grace of God as we are grieved over the ways that we have added nationalism to our religion, until we thought it was acceptable to serve and worship both God & country.
6. I pray that we will see clearly that to worship ANYTHING else in addition to God is idolatry. I pray that we will repent of the idolatry that allows us to see nothing wrong with elevating anything just below God.
7. I pray that we repent of viewing our military as purely good, fighting off other soldiers that we view as wholly evil. I pray that we recognize that war is a complex, ugly thing. That the soldiers on the other side could be protecting civilians that view us as evil attacking them. That soldiers on both sides can have a desire to defend what they view as good and noble. That soldiers on both sides are broken by the atrocities they were ordered to carry out.
I realize these are rough, raw prayers. They are not easy prayers with our eyes fixed on the ideal we hold of the military. These are prayers that dive below the surface-level conversations we have in regards to the military to the murky areas we don't like to think about. It is much more pleasant to look at the polished image presented on the pedestal, instead of the broken relationships and lives that are chewed up by the military machine, on both sides of all conflicts.
Even as I write these words, I recognize that they are words that I would not have the freedom to post without soldiers fighting to defend my way of life. As I have processed through the prayers that I CAN pray on this holiday, I realize that this should not be a day of rejoicing for Christians, but a day of mourning and lament.
I mourn that good, noble, honorable men are trained to end lives and return home with blood on their hands and pain in their hearts.
I lament that we are so quick to endorse and support violence instead of seeking alternative ways to reach peace.
I mourn that lives on both sides of conflicts were ended prematurely.
I lament that atrocities were committed by both sides in conflicts in the name of peace.
I mourn that we have created more effective ways of ending lives. Swords-->Guns-->Cannons-->Bombs-->Death Chambers-->Atomic Bombs-->Drone Strikes
I lament that civilians have suffered thievery, attacks, rapes, and death at the hands of soldiers on both sides of conflicts.
I mourn that we keep reaching for guns to solve our problems after seeing the devastation of world wars and conflicts throughout history.
These are the prayers that I am praying in the face of the ugliness of war. They may not be the pretty, sanitized prayers that we have grown accustomed to in churches in the US, but these are needed prayers, because people are broken by wars. They are coming home devastated and ashamed at the things they have seen and done. They need a church to offer them the real Way, Truth, and Light. They need a church, not to celebrate what has broken them, but to help them heal and repent, in order to find true Hope and Salvation in Christ.
As someone who has served on the mission field and has looked at the US from the outside, I have come realize that nationalism and patriotism is what is referred to as a "golden calf" inside some church leadership circles. It is something that may not quite line up with Scripture, but if someone suggests toning it down, or leaving it out of the worship service entirely, the leader who left it out will definitely be hearing multiple complaints. So many in leadership do not try to tear down this golden calf.
But I want to be real and open here on this blog today.
Folks, I struggle with these patriotic holidays being in the church, because I can't really see Jesus accepting praising the military in the temple or synagogues in His day & age.
Frankly, I wrestle with these holidays period. The only way that I can go along with them mildly is to create a parallel Christian allegory that I can get behind.
On Memorial Day, I take time to remember the martyrs of the Christian faith and the heroes of the faith who fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel to all peoples.
On Independence Day, I celebrate the freedom that I have through Christ, as He overcomes my earthly nature and tendencies.
On Veteran's Day, I freeze. I don't have a ready allegory to apply, yet even now I hear the Spirit nudging me to pray for soldiers. The Bible teaches that we are to pray for all people and that includes soldiers.
Now my prayers may look quite different from yours, but this is what I'm compelled to pray for soldiers:
1. I pray that they will find salvation in Christ alone.
2. I pray that they will obey God and His laws, over man's law, even if it means that they will be punished for disobeying man's law.
3. I pray that they will have the wisdom to know when to question & refuse to follow orders that would cause them to disobey God. I ask for courage and boldness in living this out.
4. I pray that they will live out Christ's commands to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors.
5. I pray that they will find alternative, non-lethal ways to end violence and conflicts.
6. I pray that God will not leave them broken over the orders they have followed that caused them to end lives. I pray that when they regret and repent of their actions, they will find the reconciliation and redemption that God offers as they seek forgiveness.
7. I pray that they be welcomed by the Church, not as heroes who should be revered for using violence in the name of defense, but rather as prodigals who have wandered into dangerous ground for Christians, but have still walked in the doors of our churches.
I also pray for the Church in the US:
1. I pray that we recognize that we are praising people for using violence to end lives. This is not something to rejoice in.
2. I pray that we begin to mourn for the loss of lives, not just of our soldiers, but of the enemy soldiers as well. May we be grieved by all lives that are ended by weapons, especially those who aren't serving God.
3. I pray that we begin to pray consistently for our enemies. Pray that they encounter the living Christ. Pray that all soldiers turn from their wicked ways and begin to follow Jesus.
4. I pray that we see clearly the ways that our culture has set itself up on the altars of our churches to be worshiped and I pray that we tear down these altars as we fully pursue God.
5. I pray that the church will trust the mercy and grace of God as we are grieved over the ways that we have added nationalism to our religion, until we thought it was acceptable to serve and worship both God & country.
6. I pray that we will see clearly that to worship ANYTHING else in addition to God is idolatry. I pray that we will repent of the idolatry that allows us to see nothing wrong with elevating anything just below God.
7. I pray that we repent of viewing our military as purely good, fighting off other soldiers that we view as wholly evil. I pray that we recognize that war is a complex, ugly thing. That the soldiers on the other side could be protecting civilians that view us as evil attacking them. That soldiers on both sides can have a desire to defend what they view as good and noble. That soldiers on both sides are broken by the atrocities they were ordered to carry out.
I realize these are rough, raw prayers. They are not easy prayers with our eyes fixed on the ideal we hold of the military. These are prayers that dive below the surface-level conversations we have in regards to the military to the murky areas we don't like to think about. It is much more pleasant to look at the polished image presented on the pedestal, instead of the broken relationships and lives that are chewed up by the military machine, on both sides of all conflicts.
Even as I write these words, I recognize that they are words that I would not have the freedom to post without soldiers fighting to defend my way of life. As I have processed through the prayers that I CAN pray on this holiday, I realize that this should not be a day of rejoicing for Christians, but a day of mourning and lament.
I mourn that good, noble, honorable men are trained to end lives and return home with blood on their hands and pain in their hearts.
I lament that we are so quick to endorse and support violence instead of seeking alternative ways to reach peace.
I mourn that lives on both sides of conflicts were ended prematurely.
I lament that atrocities were committed by both sides in conflicts in the name of peace.
I mourn that we have created more effective ways of ending lives. Swords-->Guns-->Cannons-->Bombs-->Death Chambers-->Atomic Bombs-->Drone Strikes
I lament that civilians have suffered thievery, attacks, rapes, and death at the hands of soldiers on both sides of conflicts.
I mourn that we keep reaching for guns to solve our problems after seeing the devastation of world wars and conflicts throughout history.
These are the prayers that I am praying in the face of the ugliness of war. They may not be the pretty, sanitized prayers that we have grown accustomed to in churches in the US, but these are needed prayers, because people are broken by wars. They are coming home devastated and ashamed at the things they have seen and done. They need a church to offer them the real Way, Truth, and Light. They need a church, not to celebrate what has broken them, but to help them heal and repent, in order to find true Hope and Salvation in Christ.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Spiritual Truths and Actions for the Day After an Election
It's the day after an election in the US. We get online, check the newspaper, or listen to the news to hear the results.
Either,
A) you are pleased about the results, because they align with how you voted, or
B) you are displeased with the results, because you wanted a different outcome, or most likely
C) you are experiencing a mix of emotions because some races went how you wanted, but others didn't.
As Christians, where do we go from here on the day after an election? I recommend that we keep a couple of truths in our minds and there are a couple of things that we should do (or not do!).
Truth #1: God is in control. God was not on His throne in heaven wondering what the outcome of our elections would be. He was not worrying that His will would be thwarted by our election results. He is Lord, Sovereign, King, Creator, and well...God.
Biblical Source (if you really need something here): 2 Samuel 7:22 "“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." (NIV)
Truth #2: Our primary job is still to share the Gospel, the Good News with a lost and hurting world. Regardless of the outcome of this election, our job, our mission as Christians has not changed. We are still commanded to GO and MAKE disciples. We are to share the GOOD NEWS with all people.
Biblical Source: Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (NIV)
Biblical Source: 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." (NIV)
Truth #3: God can be glorified even through pain and unfortunate events. God is not going to be defeated by anything anyone on this world says or does.
Biblical Source: 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (NIV)
Biblical Source: Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
Biblical Source: Genesis 45:4-8/Genesis 50:20 (Joseph told his brothers that what they meant to hurt him, God used to save people) "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (NIV)
Action #1: Pray for all people, including newly elected leaders.
Biblical Source: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (NIV)
Action #2: Submit to the authority elected.
Biblical Source: Hebrews 13:17 "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you." (NIV)
AND
Biblical Source: 1 Peter 2:13-14 "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right." (NIV)
AND
Biblical Source: Romans 13
Action #3: Obey God over man, when man asks you to go against God's commands.
Biblical Source: Acts 5:29 "Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!" (NIV)
Action #4: Do not complain about results you didn't want.
Biblical Source: Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)
Biblical Source: James 5:9 "Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" (NIV)
Biblical Source: Philippians 2:14-16 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain." (NIV)
So, regardless of the election results, take heart, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God is still sovereign, we are still called to share the Gospel, and God can be glorified even in the darkest of events. And prepare for action! Pray for all people, including elected officials, obey the leaders (insofar as you can and still obey God's supreme law), and please, please, please, don't go around complaining about the results you disagree with. Take all worries and complaints to God in prayer, but don't complain to others about these things.
Either,
A) you are pleased about the results, because they align with how you voted, or
B) you are displeased with the results, because you wanted a different outcome, or most likely
C) you are experiencing a mix of emotions because some races went how you wanted, but others didn't.
As Christians, where do we go from here on the day after an election? I recommend that we keep a couple of truths in our minds and there are a couple of things that we should do (or not do!).
Truth #1: God is in control. God was not on His throne in heaven wondering what the outcome of our elections would be. He was not worrying that His will would be thwarted by our election results. He is Lord, Sovereign, King, Creator, and well...God.
Biblical Source (if you really need something here): 2 Samuel 7:22 "“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." (NIV)
Truth #2: Our primary job is still to share the Gospel, the Good News with a lost and hurting world. Regardless of the outcome of this election, our job, our mission as Christians has not changed. We are still commanded to GO and MAKE disciples. We are to share the GOOD NEWS with all people.
Biblical Source: Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (NIV)
Biblical Source: 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." (NIV)
Truth #3: God can be glorified even through pain and unfortunate events. God is not going to be defeated by anything anyone on this world says or does.
Biblical Source: 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (NIV)
Biblical Source: Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
Biblical Source: Genesis 45:4-8/Genesis 50:20 (Joseph told his brothers that what they meant to hurt him, God used to save people) "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (NIV)
Action #1: Pray for all people, including newly elected leaders.
Biblical Source: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (NIV)
Action #2: Submit to the authority elected.
Biblical Source: Hebrews 13:17 "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you." (NIV)
AND
Biblical Source: 1 Peter 2:13-14 "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right." (NIV)
AND
Biblical Source: Romans 13
Action #3: Obey God over man, when man asks you to go against God's commands.
Biblical Source: Acts 5:29 "Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!" (NIV)
Action #4: Do not complain about results you didn't want.
Biblical Source: Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)
Biblical Source: James 5:9 "Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" (NIV)
Biblical Source: Philippians 2:14-16 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain." (NIV)
So, regardless of the election results, take heart, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God is still sovereign, we are still called to share the Gospel, and God can be glorified even in the darkest of events. And prepare for action! Pray for all people, including elected officials, obey the leaders (insofar as you can and still obey God's supreme law), and please, please, please, don't go around complaining about the results you disagree with. Take all worries and complaints to God in prayer, but don't complain to others about these things.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Be Content
Are you content today? Are you enjoying & appreciating what God has given you for today?
Or are you mournfully looking at what you had in the past?
Or are you covetously looking at what you want in the future?
In the (utterly amazing and highly recommended) book Pollyanna, the titular character goes to visit a shut-in. This shut-in gets meals delivered to her by the ladies of the church, but she is infamous for her discontentment & dissatisfaction with whatever she receives. Whatever is brought to her, she wants something else and therefore, she never is happy.
This is a bit of an absurd example, until we realize that we do this too. We are unhappy with summer because it is too hot and can't wait for fall. We are unhappy that it is fall because it is too cold and we can't wait for warmer weather. We are unhappy with the poor roads in our towns, but we are also unhappy with road construction repairing & improving the roads. We are not content because we are always complaining about something.
The Bible talks about the importance of being content. We'll highlight 3 passages here:
1. Paul writes to Timothy "So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." (1 Timothy 6:8 NLT). If we eat 2-3 meals today and have at least 2 outfits, are we content? Or are we striving after more stuff, nicer stuff, or more comfortable stuff?
2. Paul wrote to the Church in Phillipae,
"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 all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV) Do you catch the significance here? When we look at this whole paragraph, Philippians 4:13 becomes so much more than a pithy little phrase to psych us up into doing something cool. We can be content, regardless of our situation because of the power of Christ within us. We can be content with a full fridge or an empty fridge. Whether our wants & needs are met or we are lacking necessities. We can be content, through Christ.
3. Finally, the author of Hebrews writes, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”" (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) We are commanded to avoid loving money and to be content with what we have. We can be content, because God never leaves us. This is critical. We may not have what we want or even all we need, but contentment comes from knowing God is with us.
As November has arrived, we talk a lot about gratitude, but when we are discontent, we aren't practicing gratitude. When we are constantly complaining about the weather, the traffic, or people, we notice the negative things more and more.
So let's practice being content with what the day brings and expressing gratitude for what God is doing for us today.
What are you grateful for today?
How can you foster contentment?
Or are you mournfully looking at what you had in the past?
Or are you covetously looking at what you want in the future?
In the (utterly amazing and highly recommended) book Pollyanna, the titular character goes to visit a shut-in. This shut-in gets meals delivered to her by the ladies of the church, but she is infamous for her discontentment & dissatisfaction with whatever she receives. Whatever is brought to her, she wants something else and therefore, she never is happy.
This is a bit of an absurd example, until we realize that we do this too. We are unhappy with summer because it is too hot and can't wait for fall. We are unhappy that it is fall because it is too cold and we can't wait for warmer weather. We are unhappy with the poor roads in our towns, but we are also unhappy with road construction repairing & improving the roads. We are not content because we are always complaining about something.
The Bible talks about the importance of being content. We'll highlight 3 passages here:
1. Paul writes to Timothy "So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." (1 Timothy 6:8 NLT). If we eat 2-3 meals today and have at least 2 outfits, are we content? Or are we striving after more stuff, nicer stuff, or more comfortable stuff?
2. Paul wrote to the Church in Phillipae,
"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 all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV) Do you catch the significance here? When we look at this whole paragraph, Philippians 4:13 becomes so much more than a pithy little phrase to psych us up into doing something cool. We can be content, regardless of our situation because of the power of Christ within us. We can be content with a full fridge or an empty fridge. Whether our wants & needs are met or we are lacking necessities. We can be content, through Christ.
3. Finally, the author of Hebrews writes, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”" (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) We are commanded to avoid loving money and to be content with what we have. We can be content, because God never leaves us. This is critical. We may not have what we want or even all we need, but contentment comes from knowing God is with us.
As November has arrived, we talk a lot about gratitude, but when we are discontent, we aren't practicing gratitude. When we are constantly complaining about the weather, the traffic, or people, we notice the negative things more and more.
So let's practice being content with what the day brings and expressing gratitude for what God is doing for us today.
What are you grateful for today?
How can you foster contentment?
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