Friday, 17 March 2017

Psalm 131 - A Psalm of Contentment

"My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content." (Psalms 131:1–2)

I want what he's got! That experience of contentment in all things. That absence of worries and the presence of joy in all of life. Content like a weaned child with its mother; No longer bound to God for survival yet still content in her presence, empowered to venture beyond the breast into the world knowing that she is nearby.

However, the psalmist David cautions me, for contentment comes from recognizing that there are "things too wonderful for me" and I'm O.K. with that.  At some point we all need to learn to be content with what we have in Christ, no longer feeling the need to strive after that "next wonderful thing". We can't have everything we want, and contentment comes to those who are O.K. with that.  Embracing contentment is not an act of surrender but rather and act of humility and wisdom and maturity.  Contentment is not a consolation prize for those who have given up on their dreams, but rather the very gift we spend much of our lives searching for.

If I am indeed in Christ, then I already have everything I need or desire. Yes, some things are "too wonderful for me" and I'm O.K. with that. 

1 comment:

  1. We see something similar in the field of marriage and family therapy. Never underestimate the power of acceptance. Thank you, Michel.

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