Contentment

Me and a good friend/language helper

"I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content."

This isn't really an island value. Most people are either apathetic or dreaming of getting away or getting rich. And something I've learned (and am still learning) is that contentment has nothing to do with circumstances and everything to do with attitude.

I can have every toy I dream of and be discontent.

I can have nothing but food and shelter and be content.

It has nothing to do with have and have-not, but rather with trusting the Father who only gives good gifts.

Right now I'm off the island with access to many things and I've found strangely that I've grown in contentment. The last time I left Clove Island I wanted to buy everything. Corn chips makes life better. Good quality coffee makes life better. LIES! Jsus makes life better.

During the last few weeks on island I started running into this particular taxi driver who surprised me in his lack of desire to leave, and at first I mistook his attitude as real contentment. Unlike many islanders, he didn't care to abandon his island home for a nearby island with better living conditions. But I soon discovered that his reasoning had nothing to do with being content at home. No, his actual concern was the racism he perceived among people from that island.

But how do we learn contentment if it's not through having fewer possessions? For me it's been coming through seeking the Father more zealously. By desiring Him more greatly and delighting myself in Him more deeply I've found the peace of contentment. 'Cause He promises that if we seek Him we'll find Him, if we search for Him with all our hearts.

Anyway, no big story this time, but that's what I've been learning. What have you been learning lately from the One who gives good gifts?