The Secret to Contentment Part 4-A Learned Behaviour

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have it all, yet never find true happiness? Scripture is fraught with examples and wise lessons on how being physically rich in the wares and treasures of this world makes it even harder to find entrance into the Kingdom of God. Since the Kingdom of God begins in our hearts, if our hearts are full of restless striving for worldly treasures, one can clearly see the problem! Jesus Himself said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt 19:24) The love of money is the root of all evil, and those who possess such greed will never experience true contentment. It is not impossible for rich people to enter into Heaven; it’s just a lot harder! (1 Tim 6:10)

True contentment comes from recognizing the value of the eternal and unsearchable riches of God’s grace. After all, your heart is where your treasure lies (Matt 6:19-21). Those who practice the art of contentment make it look easy! However, contentment is a behaviour that often comes by way of learning some hard life lessons. I must confess, I myself only started experiencing contentment after the year 2008 which to me was one of the worst years of my life! It took  spending my first stint in hospital, escaping unscathed from two car accidents (one from a horse and trailer truck which would have demolished my poor Tazz had it not been for the hand of God), having one cell phone destroyed from liquid damage and another stolen, together with a season of unemployment and depression to teach me contentment. Yet despite this, I consider it one of the most valuable gifts I have been given – the ability to treasure and savour each passing moment of life, valuing it for the precious gift of God it really is.

The Apostle Paul states in Phil 4:11-13: “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” From this, we can clearly see that contentment exists in the heart of one who is totally surrendered to God and who gives up his own willful passions, plans and desires placing them subject to the Will of God. In this he takes up his cross and follows the Master, and in denying himself he finds true contentment (Matt 16:24-26). Contentment is a learned behaviour. It is when everything is stripped away from us that we learn that we really don’t need that much to survive after all! God will take care of you; if you make His business your priority, He will make your business His priority. (Is 33:6,16)

The Jesus Touch Part 2 -Redeem the Time

God has blessed each of us with varied talents according to our ability (Matt 25:15). However, to every one of us He has given time. Each day that we are alive, He fills our lives with the same amount of minutes as the next person. It’s how we choose to use the time He has blessed us with that makes all the difference.

Jesus was a master manager of His time. He didn’t waste any of it, but rather spent long hours investing into the lives of those closest to Him – these would be the ones who would be tasked with taking the message of the Gospel to the entire world. Jesus was never idle. When He was not walking miles between towns as an itinerant teacher, preacher and healer He could often be found in places of solitude communing earnestly with His Father. He often put aside His own desire for rest to meet the needs of those who followed Him, earnestly seeking the gracious words of truth from His lips. Jesus was a very busy man, yet He seemed to have time for everyone! (Matt 14:14-36, Matt 15:32, Mk 3:20)

Are you busy today? Many of us use our “busyness” as an excuse not to get involved in the work of God. Jesus often did not even have time to eat or drink. While the disciples went into the neighbouring towns to gather provisions, Jesus sat at the well and invested in the life of a woman who would become a great missionary for Him. His meat was to do the will of His Father and to finish the work. Jesus was not selfish with His time. He set out to save the lost and He set his face like a flint and stayed the course until the door of salvation was open to everyone. (John chapter 4, Is 50:4-7)

How much time do we spend in idleness and yet complain that there are not enough hours in the day to finish all that we have to do?  Christ’s Object Lessons pg 118-119: “Satan uses the listless, sleepy indolence of professed Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his side. Many who think that though they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on His side, are enabling the enemy to pre-occupy ground and gain advantages. By their failure to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, they have allowed satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ. We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless, useless life.” Will you answer Jesus’ call to work in His vineyard today?

The King who Serves

God is calling us all to active service in His Kingdom. Although His Kingdom has not yet arrived visibly in majestic splendor in the clouds of glory, we have declared Him King in our hearts and He remains the King of the Universe and beyond.

Jesus asks some interesting questions in Luke 17:7-10. He asked His disciples which master, having a servant who came in from the field, would give his servant permission to sit down and eat before having first served the master. He then states what the conventional master would do i.e. ask to be served first. The master would not thank his servant for having performed his duty since he was merely fulfilling his purpose, neither would the servant expect any thanks from his master for having done his job.

Contrast this with John 13:3-5 where Jesus, knowing His position as master and sent of God, laid aside His garments and took the position of a servant in washing the feet of His disciples. What was He trying to say? He was trying to show that He is not a master like the masters of this world, who too often do not deserve the respect given them. Being the Son of God, He has every right to our respect and worship and yet He assumes the posture of a servant.

Now examine Luke 12:37. Jesus speaks of the future reward of His servants i.e. those who have labored for Him in this world. If He were like other masters, He would not thank them or give them honours for merely performing their assigned tasks. However, this verse reveals that when His Kingdom in all its glory is established, the King of the Universe will still be the same Lord that serves His servants and bestows upon them honours they don’t deserve! It says that His servants who are found working at His return will sit at His table and He will come forth girded to serve them. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Heb 13:8)

He served during His time on earth. He gave His life to save us from our sins, and in the future He will still consider it a delight to serve those whom He loves. This shows that what you do doesn’t detract from who you are (Luke 22:24-30). The King remains the king even though He chooses to serve. So basically the message to us in Luke 17:7-10 is that we are not greater than our Lord. We should not expect any thanks from those we serve. We’re just doing our duty! Don’t let your service come tainted with ulterior motives or exercise a superiority complex over those you serve. Let the love of Christ, the servant-King, shine through your deeds. Let all the world see it and give glory to God! (Mat 5:16, 1 Cor 10:31, Col 3:17, Phil 2:14)

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."- Matt 5:16

Light up the world for Jesus!

Life is a celebration of our creation, salvation and redemption which Christ has accomplished for us. Life is not supposed to be a meaningless existence. God has given each of us a mission and a purpose which is clearly spelt out for us in Matt 28:20.

We are to go into all the world and preach the good news to every creature, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we are given a task by our superiors at work, we hasten to complete it. Why is it that we cannot seem to employ the same principle in having some enthusiasm for doing the work of our ultimate Master, the Lord Jesus Christ?

God has poured out gifts upon every person in His Kingdom. These are to be employed in the earnest work of God that brings sinners to the Saviour. Some people have not yet discovered their gifts of service because they have chosen not to take a step of faith in trying new things. Every investment that yields a good return contains an inherent amount of risk therein. The best investment you can make in your lifetime is that of investing in the life of someone else. When we go all out for God, He multiplies our efforts. After all, it’s only our job to plant the seed. The Holy Spirit is the one who waters it, working conviction and repentance in the heart of the lost.

Some have gifts that seem greater than others; some people have the ability to preach eloquent sermons while many can only hope that others see the image of Christ in their daily conduct. God’s purpose is not to give you great wealth and riches but rather to impart the eternal riches of His grace and His Word in your life so that you may be a wellspring of life to a world that is thirsting after Him.

From every good relationship come life lessons. God tests us and brings us victorious through many trials to show us just how powerful He is and to give us a testimony. “Every person is born into the Kingdom of God to be a missionary”. You don’t have to go to a far-flung island to tell others about God’s saving grace. Your testimony can make a difference in your local community. No one on this earth has the exact same testimony as you, but someone may steal somebody else’s sermon or revelation.  Your testimony is like your fingerprint, as it stems from your unique relationship with God.

Your life is a living epistle to the world. We are called to be shining lights in a dark and perverse world, reflecting the glory of our eternal Father. I challenge you today: Don’t just exist. Live with meaning and purpose. Drink the cup of life to its dregs. And last but not least, remember that having fun is not a stereotype. Life is not about being part of the “in crowd” or partying away mindlessly as if there is no tomorrow. You can choose to have fun any way you choose, but the best way to have fun is to have fun God’s way-reaching out to the world one soul at a time and being part of Jesus’ plan to restore us to His image. Let’s leave a legacy that continues into eternity! Let’s go out there and light up the world for Jesus! 

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." -Matt 5:14

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."-Matt 5:16

Scripture refs: Matt 28:20; 2Cor 3:2-3; 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 2:15-16; John 4:14;  Prov 11:30; Matt 5:13-16

True Leadership

After having completed reading a book on leadership, I was reflecting on the essence of what true leadership means when my focus was turned to John 13.

Here Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, and even after having done this, none of them offer to do the same for Him. He then contrasts the false concept the world has of leadership to what true leadership entails.

True leadership embodies taking initiative to serve and forgive others instead of waiting on others to serve or apologise to you. It is leadership by example and not in words only.

 True leadership is not about making others suffer the agony by doing all the work so that you can receive the glory i.e. all the credit. True leadership is about the leader sometimes having to bear the brunt of agony and responsibility now, in order to celebrate the glory and victories that come in the future with his followers.

True leadership precedes the title. You don’t become a leader by being given the title. Rather, you are given the title because you are already a good leader. Being a good leader means knowing your identity in Christ, and not regarding yourself as superior to your followers.

"The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them;and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so;but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." -Luke 22:25-26, read John 13