Comments on: Contentment & Hard Work – The Engine for God’s Provident Plan

By: Paul Williams

Paul Williams — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:47:17 +0000

Thanks, Timma! That’s an excellent passage on resting in the security of the Lord.

By: TimmA

TimmA — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:30:18 +0000

17Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18(AH) yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
(AI) I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
(AJ) he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me(AK) tread on my(AL) high places.
(Habakkuk 3:17-19)

I love these verses! Thanks for what you do!

By: Paul Williams

Paul Williams — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:38:28 +0000

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Kevin!

I agree that I’m not sure a non-Christian can really grasp what I’m saying about finding contentment in Christ. As you said, the idea that what happens to me in this life matters very little is completely counter-cultural. As Christians, we look forward to our life in Heaven when we’ll finally know true contentment and happiness. All our needs will be met. There will be no sickness or pain. All the troubles of this life will be gone and we’ll eternally enjoy being in the presence of God.

I’m not sure how you can understand people whose focus is not necessarily success in this life (apart from successfully following Christ) unless you can understand the power we have in Christ. That’s a difficult enough concept for Christians – let alone non-Christians.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

By: Kevin@OutOfYourRut

Kevin@OutOfYourRut — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:01:55 +0000

It may not be possible for a non-Christian to appreciate happiness/contentment/self-esteem/etc being detached from achievement, but it really is one of the fundamental differences between the believer and the non-beleiver.

That contentment comes from letting go, which of course is NOT an easy thing to do from a human perspective, even for a believer. But in the darkest moments of my life, I’ve been able to look up and know that it’ll be OK, and perhaps more important, to know the reason why it will be OK.

Just as important, I don’t need to carry the heavy burden of needing to succeed – life will go on even if I don’t, and I’ll be OK too.

Its another of those counter-intuitive teachings the Bible is chock full of…