Brewing Contentment

I am a coffee snob, and I’m not afraid to admit it. I enjoy freshly ground beans from a few of my favorite shops. A nice pour-over of Ethiopia or Tanzania Peaberry would be my personal favorite. It genuinely brings me joy.  The dilemma comes when I travel, especially over the summer, as I am on mission trips or at youth campus a significant amount of mornings.  For some trips, I take matters into my own hands and pack my travel coffee setup to ensure good coffee in the mornings. While many days I have to hope for the best and “settle” for less than ideal coffee.  Yes, I told you I am a snob when it comes to coffee.  This silly pleasure is, however, a small reminder of the importance of contentment.  When I can’t have my ideal, I should still be thankful for what I do have. Or even mornings where coffee isn’t available I can be grateful for a new day of life.

In a much more eternally significant way, life often throws us curve balls, and we are forced to navigate less-than-ideal circumstances. It could be a co-worker who pushes our buttons, a financial hardship that creates stress, or a marriage that is being tested. Any circumstance is an opportunity for us to rely on God’s faithfulness to sustain us by His grace and provide for our every need. 

As Paul writes in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” This familiar verse is written in the context of God’s provision and our call to contentment. Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is revealed when we are weak.  You will never avoid situations that are less than ideal. Life will always throw curve balls. But God will always meet your needs!