There are quite a few items in this chapter that are hotly debated — the purpose of marriage, Paul seemingly saying that he goes in and out of inspiration, the value of singleness. But none of those things stuck out to me today. it was verse 17 that hit me today. Each of us should be content in our own situation. I guess why that stuck out to me today is because I struggle with contentment a lot. If I’m not careful, I can find myself chasing after elusive goals. Or often I want what comes tomorrow. When I was in high school, I wanted to be in college. When I was in college, I wanted to be in the workforce. When I was single, I wanted to be married. When I was newly married, I couldn’t wait for kids. Now that I have a son I long for more time to spend with him and my wife. Contentment often alludes me.
In fact in the short time I served as a pastor, I preached on the subject several times. Maybe I did so because I needed the sermons. But God has challenged me to learn to be content in Him — to look around and smell the roses. I’ve noticed that contentment is a choice. You either reach for it or you don’t. But you never ever get it if you don’t choose it.
Today I choose contentment — no matter what.
