May 12, 2009

Number19

VIEWPOINT

David McCasland describes a long layover at an airport.  He tells how he noticed that one business in the main terminal attracted more people than any other.  For hours, a steady stream of customers approached with cash in hand, stood in line, made a purchase and left quickly.  All seemed to know exactly what they wanted.

The thriving business was a lottery sales office.  Even though the chance of winning the big Powerball Jackpot was 1 in 146 million, McCasland says people seemed compelled to spend something, and in almost every case, get nothing.  This is a vivid picture of our enduring quest for satisfaction and security in material things.

Isn't that a common dream of many – to find the “big score?”  But as we know 145,999,999 people never receive it – they get nothing.  It seems to me the root issue is not the lottery or any other means people use to pursue this pipe dream, but contentment – can we be satisfied with what God has blessed us with. I have a friend who knows this all too well.

He took money out of his retirement to invest in a “sure thing.”  He shared with me that this was a no-brainer and even recruited me and others to invest.  I asked him what he would do if this financial windfall became a reality and he said (after giving to the church), “Build a big house with a bowling alley in it!”  Well, as you can guess, my friend does not have a new house with a bowling alley in it or his retirement money.  He still lives in the wonderful, three-bedroom home he and his wife have lived in for fifteen years, but there is one problem – he does not enjoy it.

He went for the “big score” and like 145,999,999 others got nothing.  But my friend lost even more than money – he lost his peace of mind.  He dislikes his house because he always compares it to the house he never even owned.  This is what a lack of contentment does:  it steals our joy in the blessings we do have and causes resentment because of things we don’t.  This is what Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:11-13 when he writes, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

(These thought are from Bryan Jarvis at the Central Avenue church in Valdosta.)

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I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word.   RA

  Spiritual Challenges

·      The first step in all progress is to leave something behind.  There is no standing still in the Christian life or the sinful life – we either progress or regress. (John Allen Wood)

·      There are two things we cannot do alone:  one is to be married and the other is to be a Christian. (Paul Tournier)

·     Spiritual nature, like bodily nature, will be served; deny it food and it will gobble poison. (C. S. Lewis)

·     What makes us human is not our mind, but our heart; not our ability to think, but our ability to love. (Henri Nouwen)

·     Climbing in the Spirit is accomplished by kneeling, not by running; by surrender, not by determination. (Oswald Chambers)