The sermon from church yesterday really resonated. I know that's a very “churchy” thing to say, but the fact that I am still thinking about Brian's words and am wanting to look over my notes means it is a legit thing to say in these circumstances. And in this advent season, we are supposed to be focusing on preparing the way, our hearts, our lives, for what's to come.
So the fact remains, are you living a life of contentment, or are you living in fear? Contentment can have negative connotations, for sure, as in I feel that some are content with their own boxes of lives and have no desire to peek into the boxes around them, but in the spiritual sense, contentment is a fulfilled and lasting happiness, and is definitely something to seek.
Fear, however, is never mistaken as a good thing and it is such a strong word that I imagine most of us don't use it that often in a description of our daily life or our all around state of being. Yet the things that humans fear are the things that keep us from living a spiritually content life.
We fear not being needed.
We fear not having control, being powerless.
(I list these two first because they are the two I struggle with the most.)
We fear not being wanted.
We fear insignificance.
We fear defeat.
We fear shame.
We fear not having enough, or being enough.
These feelings are so real and so vivid in the our own lives and those of the people around us and sometimes I just don't know what to do about it.
Biblically we are given some practical instructions (some easier than others) such as:
Do not be greedy, do not hoard, do not be discontent, do not compare your things or your life or yourself with others around you, do not corrupt, do not manipulate, and stop complaining.
And so right now, as we near the last week of Advent, as we pray for the families in Newton, Connecticut, as we embark on local or international travel, as we approach the New Year . . .let's strive to shed the fear and embrace love and contentment.