In Whatever State

Growing up, we didn’t take many vacations. Money was tight, and we were a big family. I only remember three. One was to Atlanta—one day at Six Flags Over Georgia. Another was to Chattanooga, where Dad was holding a Gospel Meeting—Imagine your “entertainment” every night being hearing your dad preach! The third was a trip to Houston to visit Jeff one summer when he was working there.

So, when my boys were young, we didn’t travel much either. But we tried to make the few we took count—New Orleans, the East Coast, out West, Hannibal, MO. And now that they’re grown, they take us on trips, well, kinda. They include Melanie and me. (They also let us pay for it—but we gladly do!)

We’re coming up on 15 years of these epic family trips. But this one will be different. They’ll go without me. I’ll be in Nicaragua.

That’s when Paul’s words hit me again:
"I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).
Paul didn’t feel content. He chose to be. He learned to be! He disciplined himself to be.

Maybe you're not where you want to be. Maybe you’re not preaching where you want to preach. Maybe you’re dealing with difficult leaders—or difficult members. Maybe the doors you expected never opened. Maybe you didn’t get the break you hoped for. Maybe life hasn’t gone how you planned.

Have you determined to be content in the state you're in?

Most who leave ministry don’t do it because they lack skill or love—it’s often because they never learned contentment.

Learn contentment. You’ll be glad you did.

But here’s the truth:

God needs you in that state.
God can use you in that state.

When you truly learn contentment, it’s not a burden. It’s not a chore. It’s not a heartache.

It’s a joy.

Learn contentment. You’ll be glad you did.