Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11
How often do we use the word “content” to describe ourselves? Probably not often. “Content” seems like another word for failing, if one holds to the adage, “if you are not getting ahead you are falling behind.” “Content” flies in the face of “improvement.”
Learning to be content is important on several fronts. First, I am a strong believer in “material” contentment. I have a “ceiling” as far as material gain. I’m happy with my car, my home, my standard of living. I don’t care for much higher of a standard. Other than wanting some money put away for retirement and our son’s college education, I don’t have for much more want on the material side. If I were to amass a large amount of wealth, I would love to be able to do charitable work with it.
Second, I’ve learned to be content with certain shortcomings. I have a couple of nagging medical issues that cannot be fixed. Rather than wishing them away, or being angry that I have them, I’ve learned to embrace them. They are part of me, but they don’t define and won’t limit who I am and what I can do.
Third, I’ve stopped measuring myself against my peers. It is normal to compare oneself against one’s peers—i.e. I’m 48 years old and have a 13-year-old son. Most people my age have children already in high school, if not already in college, so I’m behind. Or I’ve been a priest for 22 years, I should have had a bigger parish by now (I’m really happy in my parish!). I hear this kind of thing all the time—“I’m 30 and thought I would be married by now,” or “I’m 65 and thought I’d be retired,” or “I’m 58 and never thought I’d be this sick at this age.”
One mantra that I’ve used consistently in my life for about ten years is this: The best I can with what I have on a given day. All a person can give is his or her best effort. And I can only do the best with what I have, not with what you have. And this applies to a given situation. Let’s look at some very timely situations in which we all find ourselves.
Worship has changed temporarily for me as the priest and for you as the congregation. You are unlikely to attend services in person and I’m unlikely to see a full church for a while. How can we make the best of this? As best as I can, I will give an effort to offer a quality worship service and sermon for those who are on watching on live-stream. No, it’s not the same as a full church. But I will still give a full effort. As for those watching at home, you also have to make an added effort to stay engaged. This might include putting away phones and other devices in order to concentrate on worship. It might involve setting more of a mood by setting out some icons and candles. While we are most certainly not going to be content with worshipping like this for a long time, we can certainly be content for the time being, and be grateful that our technology allows us to do something that wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago.
Shopping has changed. With so many things not available, it has given being “content” a different meaning. I’ve learned to be content to make due with brands that are not my favorite, content to have some basic food items and hygiene items. When shopping for toilet paper recently, I didn’t look for the brand name, I was content to get any kind of toilet paper.
How about “physical distancing”? (I prefer not to call it social distancing). While I’d prefer to see friends and conduct ministries face to face, I’ve been content with using zoom conferencing for ministries and FaceTime for phone calls. We’ll all be happy when all these things go away and we get back to what we know as normal. However, we can be content even in these different ways of doing things.
Why should we be content, even in the face of crisis? Because there are a few absolute things that we know, even in times of crisis and uncertainty. First, God is still great. His greatness is not diminished because we can’t get our favorite brand of chips or because we can only eat take-out from a restaurant. Second, salvation is always on the table for everyone, no matter what kind of situation we are in. Third, God only expects us to do the best with what we have. What we have this week is different from what we had last week. God doesn’t expect me to “pack the church” for worship on Sundays. So, I can be content that the church is not packed with people. He expects me to offer my best to the few in attendance and to the many who are watching on live-stream. Thus, I have to give a good effort and be content with the effort, even if the results are not what I wish for.
God is still great in all of our lives. Salvation is on the table for all of us. And if you give the best you can with what you have—children learning at home, being temporarily displaced from a job, or having your job altered, making due with less, remaining hopeful, encouraging others who might be anxious, etc.—then God will be please with your effort, and reward you for it, even if none of us is particularly happy with the results we are able to generate.
I read somewhere that God doesn’t crown success as much as He crowns effort. We cannot always control success. We can control our efforts to achieve it though.
O Lord our God, thank You for the gift of today. Help me to make the most out of whatever comes my way today. Help me to be the best I can with what the day brings. And may I bring honor and glory to You in all that I do today. Help me to be content with what I have, and to make an effort that pleases You today. Amen.
Prayer of Protection from the Coronavirus
(Prayer by Grace Bishop Alexis (Trader) of Bethesda)
O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Your ineffable goodness, look down upon Your people gathered in Your name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction. You know our weakness. You hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who loves mankind deliver us from the impending threat of the corona virus. Send Your Angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of physicians, and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve You in peace and glorify Your most honorable and majestic Name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Keep your head up today and give a good effort in whatever it is you are doing!
