Across the Pastor’s Desk: The secret of great contentment – Albert Lea Tribune

Throughout the Pastor’s Desk by Nancy Overgaard

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6, NIV

If requested to present a commencement graduation speech this 12 months, I’d select contentment as my theme. Amid bleak financial forecasts on inflation, rates of interest, and prospects of shopping for a house, younger individuals particularly have to know contentment continues to be attainable. However they should know the key.

Not too long ago, I used to be shocked to listen to the Nineteen Eighties known as a time of financial hardship. I had not seen, not listening to information on the time. I look again on my time as a graduate scholar dwelling within the Boston space within the Nineteen Eighties as a time of nice contentment.

God supplied a novel dwelling scenario by which I shared a basic brownstone dwelling with seven Christian roommates close to Harvard Sq.. By sharing bills and dwelling merely (strolling and taking the subway relatively than proudly owning vehicles) we saved prices extraordinarily low in a metropolis thought of extraordinarily costly.
Even with just one phone, newspaper subscription, and bathe, we have been content material.

A favourite reminiscence is one in every of my new home mates gleefully providing me a cardboard dresser she discovered discarded on the road by one other scholar. It served me nicely for my two years there and was straightforward to depart behind after I moved, costing me nothing. I treasure these reminiscences.

Generations earlier than me, my grandparents survived the Nice Despair by sharing houses with prolonged household and being resourceful (gardening and elevating animals). Challenges have been offset by good reminiscences, as my dad rising up with a cousin as a brother in a single dwelling.

Extra putting is the contentment of the Apostle Paul in far sparser circumstances. When writing his first letter to Timothy, Paul was dwelling merely, touring as a missionary with no everlasting dwelling and few belongings. When writing his second letter to Timothy, Paul was imprisoned in a chilly dungeon for his religion. But, all he requested Timothy to deliver was his cloak and parchments.

When writing to the Philippians, whereas below home arrest, Paul shared: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:12-13

Merely put, the key of being content material is realizing, trusting and counting on Jesus Christ. As soon as we perceive that secret, we are able to discover contentment no matter our circumstances.

Nancy Overgaard is a member of the Freeborn County Ministerial Affiliation.