I shudder just simply thinking about the possibilities. My body seems to have a nervous reaction that is simply uncontrollable. My breathing quickens, my hands tremble, and I break into a cold sweat. So what could possibly bring forth this violent physical reaction; why the Mall of course!!! I am only slightly exaggerating this behavior as my Bride can attest. The Mall, especially during this time of year, is jam packed with people rushing to find that perfect gift even if it is for a person they barely like. Credit cards come flying out of wallets and purses with reckless abandonment. I simply get overwhelmed with the crowds and the shear expense of money being dropped! Part of this apprehension is simply my intense frugality that some may even call "cheap" but alas it is so much more. Watching this go down forces me to ask the question, if there were no presents and if Christmas was simply time with the family and remembrance of Jesus' birth would that be enough to label it as a great Holiday?
In Philippians 4:10-13 Paul is expressing his thanks for the monetary gift the Church in Philippi sent him. A kind gesture no doubt, but here in this passage while Paul is expressing his gratitude he wants the hearer to be sure that regardless of the physical gift, Paul was content simply with whatever the Lord provided. It is amazing to me to see the complete reliance on God and the contentment in a man that was lacking so many of the creature comforts we all have. Contentment is definetly a spiritual gift and a discipline that many Christians, yours truly included, struggle with.
If you didn't receive that special Christmas bonus, the new job, new car, or date with the hottest girl in school would you be O.K.? Now let me clarify, contentment does not mean that being slightly disappointed that something didn't happen is wrong. Contentment is simply realizing that God provides everything you need and anything extra that happens is simply icing on the cake. Contentment is looking at this Christmas season and simply relishing in the gift of Christ and those you love. Contentment is eagerly wanting something, anything, to come to fruition and realizing that if it doesn't the quality of your life is not lost. A heavenward focused people find joy in what God has provided and realizing that the "extra" blessings are just that; "extra" and not required. This attitude of contentment is not only Godly but also healthy for the emotional well being. It allows people to find joy in the gift of salvation and to remain a stable living testimony of the goodness of God no matter what life brings.
As I write this I am considering the multitude of presents that my Children will open Christmas morning or the near certain Cabelas gift card that will be awaiting me under the tree. I'm thankful for all those things and I pray I keep them in perspective. A tradition in my family to help keep this in perspective is the reading of the birth story of Jesus found in the book of Luke. We each take a turn reading part of the story. It is the last thing we do before, "the children all nustled up snug in their beds."
I hope you all have a great Christmas and I hope one of the gifts you give to God this year is the gift of contentment.
