From the Word

CONTENTMENT vs. COMPLACENCY
Okay, I'm going to open myself way up here. I have been struggling with where God has me right now and what He is doing. Not so much with the church I am serving (I love it here) but more with Distinctive Notes and the expectations I have for my music and this web site. The questions I have been faced with are... Am I content with what God is doing and is it wrong to feel like there is something more? If I am truly content then why would I have this need for something more? If I address this issue with very many people, I am afraid the answer would come back - It's obvious you are not content. Period. End of discussion. But I am not so sure it's that black and white. Maybe I am too wishy-washy and simply don't like the black and white answers but would it be possible for God to truly give me a drive to want something more and still be content with what I have? Am I not content or do I fear becoming complacent?

Let's look up those two words. Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction. Okay, what does complacency mean? Complacency is a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievement. Complacency occurs when I am focused only on myself and not God. Maybe being content does not mean I never have a feeling of wanting more. Maybe the lesson here is perseverance and patience. Yikes! I don't like that one very much. Maybe being content is telling God thanks for everything he Has already done but still looking ahead to what He is going to do. After all, He sees my life from start to finish, not just the moment I am living. I can only see today. What areas of your life fit into this category? I can live with being content where God has me right now if I know that this is not the end of the path but He is out there paving the way ahead for me. Life never stands still and I just want to make sure that I don't miss something God has planned for me.

SCRIPTURE READING
Jeremiah 29:11-14, Galatians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Hebrews 10:35-39, Hebrews 13:5-6, James 5:7-12

BOTTOM LINE
Focusing on God is contentment. Focusing on self is complacency.