TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV).
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Welcome to the ‘20s! Alas… we are well beyond the days of “The Great Gatsby” and “All That Jazz.” Obviously, I didn’t live back then, but I love the era… and they thought flappers were scandalous! They seem wholesome and innocent compared to our generation! After all, we live in an era where celebrities post nude photos of themselves on Instagram to protest politicians and policies. (A form of rebellion that I can’t quite wrap my brain around…)
Roaring 20s or not, it’s a new year and if you’ve read my blog for the last three years, you know that means: A New Word!
And, the 2020 Word of the Year is… da-da-da-dum… Contentment!
Boring? To some, maybe. But in 2019, I read Dave Ramsey’s book, “The Legacy Journey” and he asked these questions:
- When we look at what we have, do we have enough?
- When we look at what we don’t have, is what we have still enough?
Most of us would eagerly answer the first question with, “Yes, we do have enough.” But the second… we might be prepared to answer only to find that our answer meekly squeaks out or, our answer gets choked up and stuck in the back of our throat.
My goal this year is to learn contentment in all circumstances. Even contentment with what I don’t have.
When it comes to a Biblical perspective on contentment, many of us think of Paul’s words from Philippians—“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV). And these verses speak volumes of the power of godly contentment—the contentment we find when we lean on Jesus as the source of all we need.
But my verse of the year is actually going to be, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV).
Beyond material comforts, I intend to study contentment from an emotional and spiritual standpoint, too. To be content with the assignment God gives me. Content with my relationships. Content with who God made me to be. Content with the talents and skills He’s entrusted to me. Content with the fact that I don’t have all the answers. Content to let God be God and content with the fact that I am not in control of what happens next.
How about you? Are you doing a Word of the Year? I’d love to hear about it and why you chose it!
Today, as you pray, thank God from whom all blessings flow! Thank Him for a new year! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be content in all circumstances. And ask Him to guide you to your own word of the year!
WHAT’S NEXT? ••• Please feel free to comment or share this blog with others. And, SURPRISE! Christmas may still be 359 days away, but I still have a present for all of you! It’s still being “wrapped” but I’ll post the link later today when it’s ready.
