Tuesday, December 31, 2013
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My son and I were trying to remember those basic food groups the other day. And we decided that there's one more than we learned in school. Haven't they added junk food as a basic food group? The problem with all that stuff, you know, the chips, candies, and cookies. They're habit forming! A long time ago, before you could actually skip the commercials, there was one that showed a well-known comedian reaching into a bag for one chip, then he got another and another. And he finally says, "You can't eat just one."
Frankly, I can eat just one of those chips, but just don't put a bag of chocolate covered peanuts in front of me. I'll eat the bag too. My desire for just one, "Sure, I'll have just one right now. I'll save the rest for later. I'll spread them over several days." Then I'll spread them over my body permanently, because my desire for one leads to one more and one more. Don't be too quick to judge me. I'll bet you have your weakness too. You know, you get a little, and you can never get enough.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "More-Itis."
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Philippians 4. You need to remember that Paul writes this from a prison cell, chained to a Roman guard. "I am not saying this (He says) 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."
Some missionary friends of ours were recently asked to house sit for some friends of theirs, and they're having a great time. It's a refreshing change to be out of their apartment for a week and they're enjoying a well-furnished home. I said to them, "Hey, don't get spoiled." They said, "I'm afraid we will." I said, "Did you ever notice when God gives us a special gift, it's hard to just enjoy it and then move on. We want more." Like those chips; we can't have just one.
Paul's attitude is one of wonderful emotional freedom. He sees God as his provider, his trainer, and he's learned the secret of personal peace. It's called contentment. Someone has said that contentment is not getting everything you always wanted; it's realizing how much you already have. You know, that's a good thing to think about on the edge of a brand new year isn't it?
Unfortunately you and I are easily afflicted with that growing restlessness I call "more-itis". We get a little; we've got to have more. God answers your prayer or just surprises you with some material goodies, and instead of gratitude we move to grabitude-I've got to grab more of this. He gives you that opportunity you always wanted. Briefly celebrate it, and then we're hankering for another opportunity-a bigger one. God gives us a little more house, a little more money, or a car. And instead of feeding our contentment, it fuels the monster of more.
What more has you restless today: Got to have more recognition, more glory, more money, more position, more people? Why can't we just say, "Thank you for the gift" and leave it there? Our eyes always seem to be on what we don't have. You have so much more than your Master did. So do I.
The contented child of God doesn't compare, doesn't compete, and doesn't complain. Contentment simply trusts God to give the gifts as you need them and then to trust Him in between gifts. So, celebrate today and each gift that God gave you yesterday, and then be glad for what's already in your hand.
Let God turn your appetite for more into contentment with enough, and it will be a much happier new year.