And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

My wife, Pam, asked me to pick up a few items at the grocery store yesterday. As I waited in line, I was moved with sympathy for the mother who was refereeing the escalating battle between her two small children.

One was three years old; the other was four.

Once when she came up for air, the mother looked at me with pleading and pained eyes. She sighed. That sigh moved me to ask, “Can you tell me what they’re arguing about?” Worn and weary she replied, “The same thing that is wrong with the rest of the world. I've got three pieces of candy in my purse, and each of my boys wants two."

She was right. Almost everybody wants to get what’s coming to them, and a little bit extra. How hard it is to learn to be content.

It's a lesson I don't quite have mastered. How about you? If we're ever going to get better as individuals or as a world, we're going to need some outside help. Saint Paul found that help from the Lord who taught him to be content wherever he was.

Maybe that's because Paul, through His Savior Jesus, had received more than he ever deserved or thought possible.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are the only real need we have. Because of Your sacrifice and suffering I have already had my greatest needs satisfied. Forgive me for my grumbling and selfishness. Grant me the contentment that comes from having my sins forgiven. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 25-26    Matthew 18:1-20

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