Contentment

This post was actually written a few weeks ago and I just realized I had never posted it...

Waking this morning, I was still consumed with the work issues that have been eating away at me for the past two years.  Why would my employer hire someone to manage the database that I've been designing and manipulating and then, why would they blindly follow him to throw money away on a new system that doesn't do half of what was basic on the current system?

The Lord quickly reminded me that the things on my mind are things of this world.  In the end, none of it will matter.  And, as a matter of fact, it's not the most important thing in my life.

Our small group Bible study is currently going through the video/book study, "Not a Fan", and I realized that, as a follower of Jesus, the only things I need to be concerned about when it comes to work are;  1) Being a good witness, 2)  doing my best as if I'm working for The Lord, and 3)  have an attitude of thankfulness and contentment.

Ok, so these were already my thoughts going from sleep to morning devotions and what was the devotion this morning?  Matthew 20:1-16, the story of the land owner who continued to hire workers throughout the day and, at the end of the day, paid them all the same.  The moral of the story... Lesson learned... There's nothing to complain about... The resources belong to the landowner and he can do with them as he pleases.

Don't worry, yes, I get the more significant spiritual meaning of the story and, honestly, that has never been an issue for me.  I do think it's sad when an older person accepts Christ shortly before death, not because I begrudge them entering God's glory or receiving the same level of mercy and grace that I have received but because they've missed all of the blessings that could have been theirs had they received Christ sooner.  

But, this morning, the message my heart needed was this... This world is not my home so quit worrying about the temporal and keep my eyes on Jesus.  

Today's devotion (from "Our Daily Bread) ended with this prayer and quote - let it be my prayer today and constant reminder:

Lord, I admit that my focus at times gets drawn
to others and what they have. Forgive me and
help me to stop grumbling. You are good to me
and provide what I need. Thank You. Amen.

All you need to know to be content is this: God is good.

Out of the Ivory Palaces

Have you ever stopped to think of the sacrifices Jesus made for us?  If you haven't thought about it lately, read Revelation 21:9-22:5 where it describes the new Jerusalem or Revelation 4 which describes the "Throne Room of Heaven".   

When we talk about the sacrifice of Jesus, we typically think of the cross and, yes, that is the ultimate sacrifice but Jesus' sacrifice actually began 33 years prior to the cross and lasted those 33 years.  Think about it... Jesus sits in a beautiful throne room surrounded by those who worship Him, yet He chose to leave all that glory to live like you and me... To face the hardships, heartache, and disease that we face and then, yes, He faced death head on for you and me. 

How very precious that makes me feel... That God would give His only Son AND that Jesus would willingly come to earth and die for my sins... Sins that I commit on a daily basis without one thought of the sacrifices made.  Oh how He loves you and me!

Out of the ivory palaces,
Into a world of woe,
Only His great eternal love
Made my Savior go.