Issue 902 – Contented – November 5, 2022
I don’t recall where this image was taken other than at one of the larger farm markets.
It is a marvellous image of an elderly couple (and their cat) sitting and enjoying the simple pleasure of reading together. The book could be anything, but my first thought was that they were enjoying time in the Bible together. A life spent together and still enjoying simple pleasures, what a picture of contentment and blessing.
We live in a world where contentment seems elusive. We are bombarded with busyness and noise. We are more technologically connected and lonelier than any generation before us.
We pursue the latest and greatest wiz-bang technological advances, vainly believing we will be happier when we get them. We keep busy telling ourselves it is so we can be happy and enjoy life “when we retire.” We put off having children until we are “more established.”
Our relationships are disposable. Why put in the work of growing through tough times when we can get a new spouse or partner? Why wait for a marriage to have sexual intimacy? After all, isn’t sex just a momentary transactional pleasure? Doesn’t anything go as long as it makes ME feel better?
The simple pleasures and contentments of life are hidden behind the smoke and mirrors of the world. None of the enticements of the world can deliver on its promises.
The world depends on creating unfilled hunger for more and newer because it drives economies and enslaves us with false hope. Advertising is big business. It generates billions of dollars a year to exploit the brokenness of our souls and keep us spending money on our empty search.
Several thousand years ago, King Solomon wrote,
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” Ecclesiastes 5:10
The Scriptures call us to find peace and contentment in the things of God.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:25-33
The Apostle Paul reminds us that:
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-12
Take some time today to slow down and focus on the things that truly matter. May you find contentedness and peace in life through Christ regardless of what the world throws at you.
May your life be as full of joy, peace and contentment as the couple in the statue.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version? Same great content but in a different format. It is ideal when you don’t want to check your FaceBook or to share with friends who don’t do FaceBook.
Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/ gleanings-1
___________________________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2022 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
___________________________________________
#Gleanings #devotional #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #GleaningsFromTheword #KevinCorbin #bible #jesus #god #faith #christian #love #Christ #Father #Holyspirit #YHWH #yahweh #Jehovah #bibleverses #jesuschrist #church #prayer #christianity #pray #scripture #gospel #hope #truth #godisgood #worship #believe #blessed #amen #grace #Word #verseoftheday #hope #biblequote
#contented #joy #peace #statue #oldcouplereading #happyoldcouple #old couple