I love watching Food Network, and on the Food Network, I love watching challenges and competitions the best. While I was watching The Next Food Network Star last night, I couldn't help but wonder, "Do these people live, eat, and breathe food? (OK, ummmm, live and breathe food, ahem)" But seriously, not just the contestants, but the judges too. Take Bobby Flay for instance; he owns four or so restaurants, has his own line of cooking products, stars on Boy Meets Grill and Throwdown with Bobby Flay, he's an Iron Chef on Iron Chef America, AND he's a judge on Next Food Network Star. This isn't even counting all the guest appearances, photo shoots, etc. The man lives for food! When does he have time to be in the Word? When does he have time to minister to his wife, serve in the church, or just meditate? That's just ONE person on Food Network. I was looking at all of the contestants, too. It's just sad to me. These people are worshipping an idol.
Idols come in many shapes and sizes. They don't have to be guilded in gold and placed in a prominent place. An idol is defined as; a representation or symbol of an object of worship, or an object of extreme devotion. I teach my children that it is anything that consumes your time, energy and resources, in short, anything that takes a higher priority than God and His Word. When we pour ourselves into something, we better make sure it is to further the kingdom of Christ, and to bring honor and glory to Him.
Idols can change for us, too. This month it may be a special gardening project we are working on, or a scrapbook for a Christmas present. Next month may be re-decorating the guest bathroom or planning your daughter's slumber party. These things in and of themselves are not bad, but don't let them steal your time from God. When the projects and plans pull us away from our time with God, both physically and mentally, they become an idol.
One of the biggest idols we Americans have is money. We work to earn it, plan to spend it, and stress for lack of it. If we are not careful, it can consume our thoughts, daily. God's word is very clear when it comes the way we should handle our money. "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " Hebrews 13:5
So, enjoy the gifts God has given you in this world; food, entertainment, home decor, gardening, etc. But keep them in their proper place with a clear perspective. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." I John 5:21
Showing posts with label contentment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contentment. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
What God Would Have For You.....
Contentment=Happiness . . . . . . Happiness=Contentment
Not exactly what is preached by society. The world sounds more like this.." Well, this isn't exactly what I planned on, but since I can't have what makes me happy, I guess I'll be content with what I have." Sound familiar? Contentment is not settling for what your left with, it's understanding that what you have is what God would have for you. Our unhappiness and discontented attitudes are not from what we lack, but from our desire for what we lack. Too often we confuse America's dream talk to God's will for our lives. God has given us exactly what we need, at exactly the right time, and the right amount. We must seek to learn what He would have us learn.
We live in a small house, about 1200 sq ft. I have to admit, there have been times, ok, many times when I have longed for a larger house. Thankfully, God's sovereign plan has kept my family in this home. I have come to understand that He has not finished teaching us what He wants us to learn. For instance, I never would have learned to simplify our household goods, like I have been forced to, by living in a larger space. God is gently teaching me to become an efficient manager of our home by doing "more" with "less." I guess you could say that I am earning my Master's in More Stuff Equals More Work. I'll let you know if I ever get the degree on that one:)
I have also learned being content means being thankful. When I am thankful for all God has given me, I am more content with my life and circumstances. This should be a no-brainer, but it's not. It's very easy, in our selfish ways, to focus on the negatives and forget, or conveniently overlook the positives. Let me explain. See if any apply.....I am ashamed to say many do for me.
What do your pour your energies into.....
*being frustrated because your husband "never listens to you"
*being grateful your husband comes home to you every night
*tired of seeing the laundry pile up
*happy your child finally understood the difference in lay and lie
*wishing you could buy some steaks, but grocery prices are ridiculous
*grateful you found some one-dish meals the kids actually like
*complaining about all the housework to do
*thanking God for the opportunities you have to serve your family
*thanking your husband for providing for your family
*admonishing your husband for neglected house projects
Contentment comes from where we look and what we believe in, not from what we have. We must also be careful not to fall into the trap of comparing our lives with others for prideful reasons. "I should be content with what I have because others have less" or "Look how much they have, and they aren't even thankful." We can always find someone who is worse off than we are. Likewise, we can find others who are better off. We cannot allow this world to skew our perspective. Contentment is Christ. "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 4:12-13 Paul learned the truth, that he deserved nothing; he had no rights or claims to anything. We too must learn that, and when we do it will not matter what we don't have, because everything we have will be seen as a gift.
So tonight, in my "small" home, I am thanking God for the big changes He continues to make in my heart. Rest tonight knowing what you have is what God would have for you. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6
Not exactly what is preached by society. The world sounds more like this.." Well, this isn't exactly what I planned on, but since I can't have what makes me happy, I guess I'll be content with what I have." Sound familiar? Contentment is not settling for what your left with, it's understanding that what you have is what God would have for you. Our unhappiness and discontented attitudes are not from what we lack, but from our desire for what we lack. Too often we confuse America's dream talk to God's will for our lives. God has given us exactly what we need, at exactly the right time, and the right amount. We must seek to learn what He would have us learn.
We live in a small house, about 1200 sq ft. I have to admit, there have been times, ok, many times when I have longed for a larger house. Thankfully, God's sovereign plan has kept my family in this home. I have come to understand that He has not finished teaching us what He wants us to learn. For instance, I never would have learned to simplify our household goods, like I have been forced to, by living in a larger space. God is gently teaching me to become an efficient manager of our home by doing "more" with "less." I guess you could say that I am earning my Master's in More Stuff Equals More Work. I'll let you know if I ever get the degree on that one:)
I have also learned being content means being thankful. When I am thankful for all God has given me, I am more content with my life and circumstances. This should be a no-brainer, but it's not. It's very easy, in our selfish ways, to focus on the negatives and forget, or conveniently overlook the positives. Let me explain. See if any apply.....I am ashamed to say many do for me.
What do your pour your energies into.....
*being frustrated because your husband "never listens to you"
*being grateful your husband comes home to you every night
*tired of seeing the laundry pile up
*happy your child finally understood the difference in lay and lie
*wishing you could buy some steaks, but grocery prices are ridiculous
*grateful you found some one-dish meals the kids actually like
*complaining about all the housework to do
*thanking God for the opportunities you have to serve your family
*thanking your husband for providing for your family
*admonishing your husband for neglected house projects
Contentment comes from where we look and what we believe in, not from what we have. We must also be careful not to fall into the trap of comparing our lives with others for prideful reasons. "I should be content with what I have because others have less" or "Look how much they have, and they aren't even thankful." We can always find someone who is worse off than we are. Likewise, we can find others who are better off. We cannot allow this world to skew our perspective. Contentment is Christ. "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 4:12-13 Paul learned the truth, that he deserved nothing; he had no rights or claims to anything. We too must learn that, and when we do it will not matter what we don't have, because everything we have will be seen as a gift.
So tonight, in my "small" home, I am thanking God for the big changes He continues to make in my heart. Rest tonight knowing what you have is what God would have for you. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6
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