Godliness and Contentment

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Scripture

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
(1 Timothy 6:6 NASB)
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
(1 Timothy 6:7 NASB)

 

Observation


There are a number of things for which people in this world will strive and most of them are not to our benefit. However, when we strive for godliness, this is worth it. Why? Because the result is that we become more and more like Jesus himself. When that happens, our desires become his desires and no longer do work and/or strive toward things of this world, but instead our entire focus becomes Jesus. When Jesus becomes the focus of everything that we do, we become content with life. There is no great need for many "things" in this life -- whatever we accumulate during our lifetime will be left here on this earth when we die so why work so hard for things that we will lose?

 

Application


Throughout the years there have been a number of personality tests whose popularity have come and gone. One of the latest seems to be the strengths finder. I tend to, rather reluctantly, take these tests when encouraged to do so -- usually for a class or training session of some kind. The reason I really don't like to take these tests is that I think they can become excuses for behavior. We want to explain away our reactions or responses because we are simply that type of a person. Somehow I believe the grace of God can even overcome those innate behaviors which are exhibited within us. Back to the strengths-finder. I took that test and I discovered one of my top five was "achiever" and that sort of bothered me. You see, I do realize that I tend to have this drive in me that wants to get things done! However, if that remains unbridled, then where might it lead me? Hopefully it can lead me to today's scripture. It is okay to be an achiever, if the goal is to get to know Christ. The problem with being an achiever is when your focus is on the wrong thing you can suffer from discontentment. You continually push with your own human strength to try and achieve and sometimes there are results and sometimes there are not. That's why the author of this Epistle has it right. The only way that the achiever becomes content is in knowing Christ -- in seeking after godliness.

We must place the goal before us -- and the goal is Jesus, himself. We are to seek him, to seek after his face and simply get to know him in a deeply intimate relationship. We are not called to go out and change the world -- we are called to know Jesus. Jesus is the one who changes the world. When we spend time becoming intimate with him, we will discover that knowing him is the greatest achievement there is -- for anyone. In the quiet moments with him we learn that he already has everything under control and he is already working and moving, we've just been too busy to see it. It is in this place that we find peace and contentment and can simply join into his movement and we discover that we don't have to achieve. The very creator of the universe is already achieving and he says come and join me!

Relax. Get to know Jesus and he will transform you into godliness. Here you will find incredible peace and contentment.

 

Prayer


Lord, may I seek you today with all my heart and may rest contentedly within your presence. Amen.

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