Truth To Wonder: conversation for christ

Isn’t it wonderful to have a Saviour who knows the frailties of the flesh so well! On hearing that others close to me had enjoyed lovely excursions to places where my health prohibits me from exploring, the sinful thought of jealousy looked to trouble me. Why were such luxuries and delights kept from me, when others could enjoy them with ease? 

So, I took myself off to buy some needed items and fill my car with petrol, all with that sting of jealousy and resentment still looking to irritate my day. I found myself taking the short trip to a little beach that I love, hoping the fresh air and clear views would help my agitated mind. When I got down to the coast, I was greeted with a beautiful view of the Solent. The sun was out and casting its warming rays onto the pond like sea, causing a gentle but dazzling carpet of gold to layer the sapphire blue waters. The beach was wide and light golden in colour, inviting walkers to come and try its soft sands under foot. 

I looked around at this incredible view and decided to take a picture on my phone, such was the beauty of the vista. Looking at the photo I had just taken, you could easily post it online and say it was somewhere exotic and everyone would believe you. That of course would be lying and something I wouldn’t do. Yet the thought remained that whilst others spend hundreds of pounds, and travel hundreds or thousands of miles to enjoy the same sort of surroundings I was enjoying that morning. Considering this, I saw how immensely blessed I am, and the tides of rising jealousy faded away.

The stunning views were witnessing to me of the truth of 1 Timothy 6:6, in that contentedness is great gain. Instead of being jealous of others travels, I should be content with the blessings that the Lord has graciously gifted me. These blessings were certainly beautiful enough, so what cause did I have to be jealous of others?

In our hectic, modern life, the Devil will look to stir up jealousy in our hearts, and he has plenty of ammunition to attack us with every day! We are constantly surrounded with encouragements to get the latest phone, the fancier car, the bigger house, the remodelled kitchen, etc, etc, etc. We are being told to want more, more! It’s like the line from a sitcom where one character is trying to reel in the spending of another as they say, “Sometimes, less is more you know.” To which the other, near frenzied person retorts, “Ah yes, but if less is more, then just think what more of more would be like!” This is a subtle but powerful lie that we have fallen for! And at the end of the day, it is a lie that attacks God’s Word as declared in 1 Timothy 6:6. 

God’s Word is there to protect us from the stress and strain that inevitably comes from striving to have more of more. He doesn’t want us to become fixated on stuff and its quickly desired successor. Such living is idolatrous and destroys a life as it descends into ever greater sinful ways of living. Therefore, contentedness is indeed great gain, as it keeps us away from the trap of covetousness and idolatrous behaviours. 

It's not easy to be content is this modern world. We must abide in Christ each day, so that we see the amazing array of blessings He gifts us with daily. Then we can live in freedom of thanksgiving, truly living ‘our best life now’, as it is lived in the will of God! So, take stock of your life, and take in all the blessings of your days and be content with them, and you will have a much, much happier life as a result. That happiness and peace will then become a great and living witness for the truth of Gospel to all you come across. All to the glory of God. Amen.