Functional contentment is easy

It is far too easy to proudly think that we have mastered contentment in singleness.  This past week I found myself saying, "Thank you God that I don't know any Christian guys my age here in Colchester, it could be a real distraction from my ministry."  Then I congratulated myself on being content.

Can you see the problem?

What I failed to see was that my contentment was not based in Christ. Instead it was a functional contentment that depended entirely on whether I felt I needed a relationship or not. This is an easily shaken contentment that shifts with the winds of circumstance. And, this week I had the opportunity to spend time with wonderful Christian friends and colleagues of mine, some of whom are married or in relationships. I was also brought face to face with Christian guys who love Jesus deeply, and although none of them are themselves a source of discontentment in themselves, I was reminded of the joys of being around godly guys. Unsurprisingly, my functional contentment rapidly evaporated. Instead of joy in my present circumstances, I found that I was jealous. Instead of contentment there was discontentment.

We are called to contentment in whatever the circumstances. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

(Philippians 4:11b-12)

So often we fix our eyes on the temporary lusts of our eyes (1 John 2:16), but this only breeds discontentment.  Instead we are called to:

...fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

 ...not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:18)

We are to focus on the heavenly lover of our souls, the One who loves us with a greater love than any other - Christ himself.

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest

is my lover among the young men.

I delight to sit in his shade,

and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

He has taken me to the banquet hall,

and his banner over me is love."

Song of Songs 2:3-4