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My Two Cents
by Rev Chuck Behrens
January, 2015
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Past Articles |
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Strange discussions happen
when families get together during the holidays. In fact we were trying to
remember those basic food groups. And we decided that there's one more
than we learned in school. Haven't they added junk food as a basic food
group? The problem with all that stuff, you know, the chips, candies, and
cookies. They're habit forming! A long time ago, before you could actually
skip the commercials, there was one that showed a well-known comedian
reaching into a bag for one chip, then he got another and another. And he
finally says, "You can't eat just one."
Frankly, I can eat just one of those chips, but just don't put a bag of
chocolate covered peanuts in front of me. I'll eat the bag too. My desire
for just one, "Sure, I'll have just one right now. I'll save the rest for
later. I'll spread them over several days." Then I'll spread them over my
body permanently, because my desire for one leads to one more and one
more. Don't be too quick to judge me. I'll bet you have your weakness too.
You know, you get a little, and you can never get enough. I think I've
become seriously afflicted with MORE-ITIS. . . .
Philippians 4 may offer a Cure. You need to remember that Paul writes this
from a prison cell, chained to a Roman guard. "I am not saying this (He
says) 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."
Our neighbor's kids are home from college and house sitting for their
parents, and they're having a great time. It's a refreshing change to be
out of their dorms for a week and they're enjoying a well-furnished home.
I said to them, "Hey, don't get spoiled." They said, "I'm afraid we will."
I thought, "Did you ever notice when God gives us a special gift, it's
hard to just enjoy it and then move on. We want more." Like those chips;
we can't have just one.
Paul's attitude is one of wonderful emotional freedom. He sees God as his
provider, his trainer, and he's learned the secret of personal peace. It's
called contentment. Someone has said that contentment is not getting
everything you always wanted; it's realizing how much you already have.
You know, that's a good thing to think about at the start of a brand new
year isn't it?
Unfortunately you and I are easily afflicted with that growing
restlessness I call "more-itis". We get a little; we've got to have more.
God answers your prayer or just surprises you with some material goodies,
and instead of gratitude we move to grabitude-I've got to grab more of
this. He gives you that opportunity you always wanted. Briefly celebrate
it, and then we're hankering for another opportunity-a bigger one. God
gives us a little more house, a little more money, or a car. And instead
of feeding our contentment, it fuels the monster of more.
What more has you restless today: Got to have more recognition, more
glory, more money, more position, more people? Why can't we just say,
"Thank you for the gift" and leave it there? Our eyes always seem to be on
what we don't have. You have so much more than Jesus did. So do I.
The contented child of God doesn't compare, doesn't compete, and doesn't
complain. Contentment simply trusts God to give the gifts as you need them
and then to trust Him in between gifts. So, celebrate today and each gift
that God gave you yesterday, and then be glad for what's already in your
hand.
Let God turn your appetite for more into contentment with enough, and it
will be a much happier new year...we all will!
See you in Church,
Rev. Chuck
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