Learning to be more spiritually content in life!
 Been thinking about spiritual contentment lately, or just being content in general in life; it’s a real gift in times of trouble to experience someone who is content.
 I was thinking today of one of the things I like about my dad, is that he has throughout his life known how to be abased and abound (as Paul puts it), and be the same person. He stayed the same whether having little or much, regardless of circumstance he’s just lived a life of service throughout.  He has stayed on course, regardless of having very little, and having very much; he served a few, and later he served many-but his core spirituality was the same.
 In Philippians, Paul teaches about the secret of spiritual contentment. All religions teach some version of spiritual contentment; Paul’s is basically: in all things, all I do, regardless of my outer circumstance, Christ’s strength is in me; not I, but Christ; apart from Him, we do no lasting good etc…it is basically to stay in and with Him in all situations. Great study! In this letter, he also teaches what to meditate on, so that this communion is more constant.
 Still, it’s nice to see this lived out in people’s lives, then it becomes a sign that it’s possible. I appreciate having seen spiritual contentment in my dad’s life, and have slowly learned to emulate that way.
 Like St Paul he knows the secret of spiritual contentment is not circumstance or what you have or have not; whether in jail or a palace; but Who you are with Spiritually inside, who or what you are really centered in, and how constantly you stay in that relationship or fellowship.
 Spiritual contentment is one of the hallmarks of dad’s life, and I respect, and have tried to practice that. Then all things can indeed work for good, if we are positioned in that inner peace of spiritual contentment. I’m not talking about spiritual perfection, but rather being content. It’s distinct.
 Growing up we lived inner city, our family and my dad served at a smaller church. We visited hospitals, served the poor, did funerals etc like normal ministry families; but later when dad became more famous for his books, you wouldn’t have known it. He was the same man. That to me is a sign of spiritual contentment.
 Being able to be content whether you are abounding or abased. In poverty and fame, the same. Some of us are more comfortable meeting God in one or the other—being abased or abounding. Or we need one of the two to feel good about ourselves. But not Paul.
  Another thing I’ve noticed, is when you meet people who move in spiritual contentment you just know it. There is tangible peace about them. No anxiety. As one monk put it, “God is always concerned, but never stressed.” There is an inner knowing to those who live in constant communion within. You sense it. Sometimes it helps to see others who move in it, in order to be drawn to learn to live it. Glad my dad does. Helps to have living examples spiritual contentment.
Perhaps one thing we can give others in times of global shaking is to practice spiritual contentment regardless of our circumstances. Just a thought this week. I’m trying.
The great minister Spurgeon wrote this:
“Paul also knew how to abound in weakness and strength.
  There are a great many men that know a little how to be abased, that do not know at all how to abound. When they are put down into the pit with Joseph, they look up and see the starry promise, and they hope for an escape. But when they are put on the top of a pinnacle, their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall.” (Spurgeon)