being content

I've been writing a lot of new songs lately and am enjoying myself here in Charlotte. It has recently become re-apparent to me that how happy we are on a consistent basis is affected of two things: our faith and our outlook on our surrounding conditions. These two things obviously intertwine, but interact in strange ways. In faith we can be content with any condition that we live in, see, or face; yet many believers find themselves unsatisfied with their lives because of conditions. Some are true hardships (which we all have), but many of our conditions are really just expectations and standards we have set up for ourselves in order achieve a look, status, or to feel like we have an identity. These expectations and standards are sometimes the same reasons why a couple will choose to live in one neighborhood instead of another, why some of us want new clothes all the time (guilty, not gonna lie), and why get groceries here and not there.

What is really better about one thing over another if they come from the same source? Is "premium" coffee really "premium" when it comes down to it, or is it just a name on a bag? Do we really need to have everything fit our conception of what is good, better, or bad? I don't. I think we should be willing and open to consider the possibility that the worst may be the best when you're sitting on the other side of the fence.

This is an "to each his own" kind of situation. You may not care at all and prefer brand names over store brand items and live in a nice home having all you need and that is more than fine. It's great! Because God blessed you with the means and ability to attain those things. But we cannot get trapped in the conditions, expectations, and opinions that can result from losing sight of what God has given us. Having more is not better, it's different. Some of the happiest people I have seen in my entire life shared a room with a dirt floor, a rusted tin roof with holes and concrete blocks walls with 8 people every night. They were content. I struggle with this, so that's why I'm writing it out and I think it's natural in our culture to do so. But we shouldn't be okay with that. I refuse to. I have enough and when I look back God has always given me more than enough. But here's the kicker. When it comes down to it, I don't deserve a thing from him.