1 Timothy 6:6-8—But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
For the last six nights my kids have slept in a tent I set up for them in our backyard. I figured they would last one night. But no—they loved the adventure and asked each evening to sleep outside. Even Dusty, our middle-aged lab retriever seemed more than happy to join them.
A Singaporean couple gave us a car they were not using. For some mechanical reason beyond my understanding, it will no longer go in reverse. So if I drive the Mitsubishi I have to make sure I don’t park in such a way that I’m stuck. This often calls for some pretty creative driving!
I wonder if adaptability becomes more difficult with age. We grow accustomed to living each day in a predictable fashion. Over time how can we help not venerating custom and procedure, convenience and control at the expense of being flexible?
If I lost my home and had to live in a tent could I do it? Would I pull my stiff bones off the hard ground and see fit to praise God? Would I find joy in Jesus if it meant adapting to circumstances not of my own choosing? I hope so.
The test of loving God is not just how well I sing to Him when life is a slice of pie but how well I follow Him when all of hell’s missiles seem to fall where I walk. I love God—more so with each passing day. I hope that in the great journey of serving Him what matters is not godliness based on convenience but rather godliness with contentment.
I don’t suppose the angels spend time in heaven glorying in their pristine environment. I imagine their focus and praise is devoted to the epitome of awesomeness—Almighty God. I can’t wait to see Him—how about you?
Inspiration
