Contentment

I want to argue something that might intially sound confusing. However, I will promise my hardest to explain the hypothetical dichotomy i am processing. Paul says in philippians 4:11, "for I have learned to be content." This is something i truly do struggle with. This idea of contentment seems to be something that i have not got a grip on.

I believe that this idea of contentment is something where you cannot believe that a particular circumstance will give you content. This is something Paul adds to the quote... "in all circumstances." Therefore we must have a foundational piece implemented in our lives to find this truly satisfying contentment. This foundational piece is our epistemology of Christ, and how he can be the only thing we depend on to find satisfaction.

I feel like this is something hard to grasp. Jesus should be the only person we depend on to find satisfaction. Call me hedonistic, but this world seems to offer many possibilities of how to find enjoyment. However, I do not think this is the right rebuttal, to refer to certain temporal objects, but to go further than that.

God created us in his image, and through that we find ourselves to be relational. This is part of the image of God, or what is called in the latin, imago dei. This then enables ourselves to explain some of similarities between humans and God. He lives in a relational community and God made us to be relational creatures. Now, getting back to my point, is how can I (or you) become content in the relational community God provides us?

This seems to be the epitome of where I find struggle and hardship. This meaning that I want contentment in the relational community where I am currently living in. There have been a couple handfuls of people I have truly had a blessing meeting for a small amount of time. I just then ponder, how do these relationships fit into the puzzle pieces of life. How much will that person be a part of my life?

The kicker to the dichotomy is that contentment is important, and we are relational beings, but how do we be content and not have regrets?

I believe I need to be aware of how God has provided me with a solid community, a group of guys willing to keep me accountable, mentors, and those who have great composure during my hard times. I want to find joy as I get the blessing of having individuals who are only "passer-byers." Those individuals who though it feels like you've known them forever, and share wisdom, and impact your life. That they may be people who God can help me be comfortable with walking onto a different area of life where I might not have so much contact.

This is truly a hard practical learning. But I know that this is probably not as much as a dichotomy, as it something that God is teaching me in my relational development.