We’re always looking to the next thing. It seems to begin in elementary school when we start looking forward to middle school; once there we look forward to high school, then our driver’s license, then turning 18, then college, then graduation. You’d think it might stop there but it doesn’t. In fact, it picks up speed, and dimension. It’s no longer just linear, following the chronologic time line, but also spherical. Not only do we look to the next life stage, we also look toward the next big things while moving through life stages: more gadgets, bigger car, better high def TV. There is nothing wrong with forward thinking and better high def TV but not at the expense of being content in any circumstances and being obedient to the present moment.
God has much to say to us in His Word on being grateful for our circumstances and obedient to the small stuff. The parable of the talents (or “bags of gold” in the NIV) bears this out with the phrase “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:23)
It’s as if God hands us a small envelope with instructions. How we do with those instructions determines whether we get the next, and possibly bigger, envelope.
So, for today, let’s take our minds off of our personal agendas, world-changing aspirations, and the next life stage. Let’s focus on what we might call “first envelope” obedience: being obedient to the circumstances that are part of our present daily grind. Here are three examples:
- Family
Some days our most high-powered, world-changing task is simply to change a diaper or take out the trash. If you’re married, ask: How can I sacrifice for my spouse today? If you’re a parent, ask: How can I sacrifice for my kid(s) today? If you live with family, ask: How can I sacrifice for the household today?
- Career/Job
Whether our job is in ministry or the corporate world, the “small envelope” tasks will be the tasks we don’t like to do. But when we do these things “without complaining” (Philippians 2:14) or obediently so as to make the teachings of God attractive (Titus 2:9-10), that’s when our true value (and most fulfillment) as an employee, co-worker or even employer is realized.
- Ministry
Are we looking for the growth spurt in numbers that will bring acclamation or for that story we can write about that will make us famous? The truth is, the most high-achieving task we can accomplish is to simply be faithful to our charge, whether it’s a charge of two, ten or 200. We will be famous with God. That’s where it counts.
I leave you with the passages that shaped the content of this post. Meditate on them and allow them to call you to a deeper contentment and obedience to the present. The present is a gift.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NIV)
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 (NIV)
Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NIV)
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Titus 2:9-11 (NIV)
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.