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The Secret to Being Content 8-16-21

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Good morning. I remember an old story/parable I would like to share. There once was a stonecutter who did fine work and was happy with his life. Until one day he went to the city to visit a shop which was filled with fine tools and supplies. He said, “I wish I was the owner of a fine shop such as this.” Instantly, his wish was granted, and he became a shop owner. All was well until one day a parade passed by his shop. Marching in the parade was a prince who was splendidly dressed and wore sparkling jewels. “I wish I could be a prince” thought the store owner. Instantly, he became a prince and was clothed in beautiful finery. He enjoyed being a prince and seeing envying eyes look upon him, until one hot day when the sun was beating down on him. “The sun is greater than any man” he said, “I wish I was the sun.” Instantly, his wish was granted, and he became the sun, shining brilliantly upon the people below. He reveled in this power until one day a cloud passed under him, blocking his power and obscuring his view of the people in the city. “That cloud overshadows me” he said to himself. “I wish I were a great cloud.” Instantly, he became a great cloud, moving around the sky and blocking the sun when he wished to do so. But then the cloud came up against the side of a mountain and the mountain wouldn’t let him pass. “This mountain is great and powerful” he said, “I wish I could be a mountain such as this.” Instantly, he became a great mountain, and there he stood in fine power and glory for quite some time. But one day a small man began to climb the mountain. When he was near the top, he removed a chisel and hammer from his pack and began to cut pieces of the mountain away. “This stonecutter is the greatest and most powerful of all” he said in his great mountain voice. “I wish to be a stonecutter!” Instantly, he became a stonecutter. The man returned to his small stonecutting shop in the country and lived happily for the rest of his days, content with the knowledge that being a stonecutter, that which he was first designed to be, was the greatest thing of all.
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.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6
The apostle Paul shares the same truth in his letter to the Philippians: I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned the secret of being content in whatever situation I am in. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. 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 4:10-13
Truly, it is an easy temptation to look at the lives of others and wonder if it wouldn’t be a fine thing to trade places with them, at least for a while. But the truth of it, the substance and strength of finding happiness, contentment, and even joy in our life, is to find the glory, the love, the wonder, the worth, and the exceptional truth of living well in the garden in which God has planted us. We already have what we need to bloom. Perhaps the key is to search our hearts and find the reasons to say thank you to our Father God who provides for us.
May God bless you with greater joy in every circumstance as you always lift up your praise to Him!
Vern

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