Enemy is a strong word, and I know it. It's a word that reminds us of wars and hatred. Enemy reminds us of evil and bad guys. I mean to use the word enemy because that's just how strongly I feel about contentment in my life.
Throughout life we are taught to be thankful for what we have and enjoy what we've been given. This still is 100% true. I agree that one of the keys to a successful life is to find peace in where we are, who we are with, and where we have been. But, I don't believe that holds true when we look to where we might be headed or who might be headed there with us, or even worse, without us.
Here's an example. Should I be content with being a Mom that only pays attention half the time to my son? NO! And if I said yes to that I know some people who know some people if you know what I mean.
Now that I have your attention, let's take it a step further.
Is it okay to be content with where we are in our walk with Jesus? Should I be content with only sitting in the seats of my church keeping them full rather than needing to stand to allow someone new to sit down? Should I be content in just getting by? Should I be content in only giving "enough" to get it done?
I am done.
I am done being content.
I am done.
I am done being a good church girl who doesn't cause waves.
I am done.
I am done being one in a crowd instead of the one who stands out from the crowd.
So yes friends, contentment is my enemy. Contentment keeps me complacent, lazy, apathetic, self-centered, wishful, quiet, weak, and unfocused.
I so desire a Godly passion to burn within me that I am no longer afraid to push the envelope, stay muted, or be satisfied with just getting by. Are you with me? I mean really with me? Not just, a "like" on Facebook or a quick :) in a text, but a "YES! I am with you!"
Hebrews 10: 22-25 says it well. "So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."
How do we do it?
We live for Jesus. Plain and simple. It should drive every decision we make, every motive centered on His plan for the world. Then, we do this together. We get creative. We encourage. We help out. We come together, but not to warm a seat, but to remind each other of the promises and then GO! The BIG DAY is approaching. Reaching beyond ourselves has to be our mode of operations. It has to be the way we live and drive all we do, not only independently but as church bodies all across our great nation.
I don't know about you, but contentment is my enemy. It's my arch-nemesis if you will.
My son, who loves superheroes, has quite a few games, comics, you name it with superheroes in or on them. Well, I may not know all of the heroes, but I will tell you that most often there is an arch-nemesis. The villain is fighting all the time against the hero. So much so that so that is what makes this whole world of comics come alive.
If we are children of the Most High King and do have a real enemy, let's own up to it, know it, and fight. Be ready, because until the Big Day comes and Jesus reveals heaven to us we will be in the fight of our lives, and more importantly for the lives of those who don't yet know the love, forgiveness and peace of our Jesus.
Staying content is no longer an option for me. Too many lives are waiting for me to put my cape on and reach out beyond myself. Who's with me?
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