Think about it: we are bombarded every day -- thousands of times every day -- with advertisements. TV, radio, internet, billboards, newspapers, magazines. Everywhere you look from the sidebar on Facebook to the side panels of cars and trucks on the road ... our culture is built on companies vying for your attention. And every single ad has as its goal to CREATE DISCONTENTMENT in your mind. Something is missing in your life. You NEED our product or service to be more complete. I can't even begin to count the amount of stuff I've bought ... not because I NEEDED it ... but because I wasn't content enough, so I THOUGHT I needed it.This is some of what I pointed to in my last post -- that we try to fill the void in our souls with stuff that is totally incapable of filling the void. Advertisers know that we all naturally lack contentment because we're always searching for more. So the whole system is built on convincing you that THEIR product will fill the void.
Now, this is not a slam on companies and advertisers. It's simply a statement about our broken human nature. Our souls are always going to crave more ...... unless they are filled by the only One who can fill them: Jesus Christ.
I love the book of Philippians in the Bible. I love the example of Paul, who wrote Philippians. At a time WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON, having been falsely arrested, stripped of his freedom and all possessions ... at a time when he didn't know if he would get out alive ... Paul wrote this: "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4). "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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 who gives me strength."
If you want to REVOLUTIONIZE the health of your SOUL, SEEK CHRIST. Listen to HIS VOICE, not the voice of the advertisers. HE knows what you need. And He is FAITHFUL. He will supply your needs. "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these other things will be given to you as well" (Jesus, in Matthew 6:33).Find TRUE CONTENTMENT in JESUS.
"I am content, I am content, My Jesus is My Lord" I love the words to that song, as they speak to your blog perfectly. However as content as I am in the knowledge, it compels me to act; so that "others may know". So contentment in Christ leads to action, and service in HIS name.
ReplyDeleteRight on, Cathy. I think it's a matter of health. I am most helpful to others when I am being fed by the best soul food. When you're filled up with Christ, your cup overflows to be a blessing to others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding your voice, Cathy!