More learning...

Recently I have found myself wanting more. Más. Plus. Mehr. Più. And for the Greek speakers in the crowd,περισσότεροι. MORE! When I volunteer in the nursery at church we pass out butter cookies. One of my favorite little guys always pleads with hands raised, palms up "mmmm...mooo...moo..moo..more cookies!" For many, it is one of the first words they learn. As humans, we desire more.

I have been desiring more lately. More things. More relationships. More money. More of whatever I think I need. But truth is, enough is never enough. I need the power of Christ to break the cycle so that I can say confidently with Paul "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Phil. 4:11). Yet, as I read this verse I can't help but become frustrated. Content all the time? That's impossible! Paul had it so easy. Then I catch myself clinging to the first three words of the verse: "I have learned".

Things didn't come easy for Paul all the time. Learning contentment required practice. His contentment included more ups and downs than I can imagine. He faced false accusations to founding churches. Yet through everything this man encountered he declared that JESUS was the answer to soul level satisfaction. Jesus gave him the capacity to endure the difficult times as he writes in v 13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

So as I find myself wanting more, I have to remind myself that contentment only comes when I have "MORE" Christ! I refuse to let my joy be dependent on my circumstances. I am learning. Earthly things will not satisfy, but only the provision of the Lord.