We live in a very blessed country and very busy world. My grandfather used to always tell me, “Chris, don’t let anyone tell you any different, the good old days are right now!” He would go on to share how when he was child the old truck the family had would not pull everyone up the hill together, so they had to walk, following it on the steepest parts. He would tell of the neighbor’s kids stealing food from the “creek refrigerator” and his dad telling him not to worry about it, “because they were just hungry.” To this day, he will tell you that he loves electricity, air-conditioning, good medicines, and all the choices at the grocery. In his mind, “now are the good old days.”
Yet, when you look around our world today, so many seem to be so unsatisfied with the blessings provided by God. We strive, just to accumulate more. we want, hoping it will make us happier. I must admit, I always have things on “my list” that I want and think I need. I am looking for an old Jeep to fix up, I am looking forward to making new travel plans, I can think of a dozen items that would “make life easier” for me and Alana, and I can always find something at Wal-Mart that I just “cannot live without!” Yet, the truth is, I have more than I need, and I have the things that money or possessions cannot buy. I have hope in Christ! So many today are searching in all the wrong places for the joy, peace, love, and hope that only Christ can provide!
True contentment may be in short supply in our world today, but we must be learn to be “content” with all that God has provided us. In this week’s message, Paul and Silas find themselves in a seemingly difficult situation, yet we find them singing praises to God. It is not our circumstances that should dictate our praise of God, but the goodness, mercy, and greatness of God that should direct our praise of Him! I Timothy 6:6-8 (ESV) reminds us, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
God is worthy to praised no matter the situation, and we should be content in Him and with Him!
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