Contentment vs. Joy

Lesson Cinq: Be joyful rather than content.

This is a lesson God has only recently taught me (like the past two/three days) and I felt the need to write on it.  Recently, I was told by a friend to pray for contentment in my life.  This is advice I have given to other people as well, so I agreed to pray for contentment.  However, after a few days of praying for contentment, I was curious to see what the Bible said about being content/contentment.  Only three verses popped up when I looked up 'contentment'.  Not only was I surprised by this, but when you look at the context of the verses, it talks about being content with things like earthly possessions (Ex: 1 Timothy 6:6).  The Bible doesn't talks about finding contentment in Life, just in earthly possessions.  Granted, that is a big part of life and you should be content with what you have, but overall, I've come to the realization that we shouldn't be content with life.  We should be Joyful with our life.

I believe that being content with the life God gave us makes us less passionate beings.  "Oh yeah, I'm content with what God has given me, it's a good life," is what I picture a content person saying. How boring! It's almost a slap in the face to God! We should be much more passionate and joyful about the life God has given us.  "Look what God has done with my life! My life isn't complete without him, I've never been more joyful!" is what the joyous, passionate person says.

So no matter the situation, I need to be praying for joy, not contentment.  I do believe I have found that again through the grace of God, even if it doesn't look like it sometimes.  I may not be happy all the time, but I know that I am joyful because God has saved me!  He continues to be with me, it doesn't get any better than that.  I've found my joy in this situation and life, and I'm overwhelmed with thanks to God.

Unfortunately, I don't have a cheesy Sailor Moon illustration today.  All I can say is that Sailor Moon is one of the most joyful people I know, and the one time she tried being content, it brought her to tears.  Joy is what completes us. 

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." ~John 15:11

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." ~John 16:24

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13

Thanks Daddy, I love you!

~Alyssa (SailorD)