Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Philippians 4:11-12 – Content – Growing As Disciples
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. Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Learning
There is something that you need to learn. What’s that? You need to learn to be content. Why do I need to learn to be content? That should be an easy question for you to answer. Why is that? Have you lived a life full of contentment? No, I’m sure that I have not lived a life filled with contentment. Then let’s talk about that. Why have you not been content? That’s a good question. Do you have any good answers? I have answers, I’m sure that they are not good. I’m listening. Well, I have looked around a lot and compared myself with others. I have wanted what I didn’t have. I wanted to be who I was not. So, comparing yourself with others has left you unhappy, unsatisfied and wanting more out of life and more out of yourself. That’s right. That may be true, but it isn’t right. What do you mean by that? Have you ever been satisfied when you have compared yourself with others? No, I have not. Have you ever been satisfied when you have chased after and finally acquired what you wanted to have or to be? Not really. Hasn’t there always been some new thing to want or to be when you have continued to compare yourself with others? That’s true. How much to you need to acquire? How much will you need to accomplish to feel good about who you are and what you have done? What would make you content? What will help get you off this treadmill of always chasing after more. When will you learn to rest and be content with what you have and who you are? I don’t know. I don’t have any answers to your questions.
I would like to be content. How can I learn to be content? Are you asking me for my help? Yes, I am asking you to teach me how to be content. I want to be able to rest. I want out of the life of always chasing after more. That’s very good. That’s a good starting point. I want you to think about something. What’s that? Imagine that your life on this earth is now over and you and I are looking back over your life. What will you have wanted your life to accomplish? What would you like to tell me about yourself based on how you lived your life? What will you be content with regarding what you did and who you became? Those are good questions. Yes, and now is a good time to answer them. I would be content with knowing you and being known by you. I would be content with telling you that I spent my life knowing and doing your will. I would be content with living the life that you called me to live. I would be content if day by day I allowed you to mold and shape my life. I would be content if I became the person you called me to be. I would be content if I bore fruit for your kingdom and brought glory to your name. Is there anything that compares with these desires? No, I would want or need nothing more if all these things were true of the life I lived with and for you. You would be content with the fulfillment of these desires? Yes, I would be content. Pursue me and the life I have for you. Then you will learn to be content and your desires will be fulfilled.
Lord, I have lived a life filled with discontent. I have had a desire for more that has caused me to chase after things that would not satisfy. Help me to learn to be content with what I have received. Help me to be fully content with knowing and doing your will. Amen
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Be – Philippians 4-11-12 – Content – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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