Tag: content

Woman sitting cross-legged on a blanket meditating by a tree in a forest
Posted in Life

Situational transcendence

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I came across this phrase the other day: Situational transcendence.

I read it in a First15 devotion about contentment. “God longs to draw you into a lifestyle of situational transcendence.” In this context, it’s about the gift of contentment, whether you have a lot or little.

But I could apply this to many areas of my life. God’s gifts of joy, peace, kindness, forgiveness, faithfulness, and grace are constants, not circumstantial. I can be joyful in all situations, I can forgive with no strings attached, and I can trust God when life is great and when it sucks.

I like to believe I have pretty good situational awareness. I like to notice and pay attention to the people around me. What do they look like? What are they saying? (I enjoy eavesdropping) Why are they here? What’s going on in their lives? There is so much to observe and listen to.

No one is paying attention to me. No one is paying attention. I can take pictures of anyone and everyone. No one notices. No one cares.

That’s a whole different kind of “situational transcendence,” isn’t it? For many, life is what it is. They really don’t care what someone else is doing, what they have, where they go, or how much they’ve accomplished. Their lives are totally separate. In other words, nothing else matters.

For the rest of us, it’s a game of comparison. We notice who possesses more, looks more attractive, is happier, or gets more attention.

None of that really matters, does it? We may pretend that it does. But it doesn’t.

So I want to be aware of what’s going on around me, but also what God is doing around and in me. That is what truly transcends the situation.

That’s the key, isn’t it? The ultimate situational transcendence. Focus on God, not the situation. Don’t look at the waves and the wind, Peter. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Plenty of contentment

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from 1 Timothy 6.

“If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:8).

When I read those words, my first thought is, “Yeah, right. Who does that?” Who’s content with life’s basic needs? No one I know.

What about a house? Utilities? A bed, a dresser, a lamp, and a table and chairs for the dining room? Pots and pans, dishes and cups, and utensils for the kitchen? Appliances? Curtains for the windows? Cleaning supplies? Transportation to and from your job? Glasses? A watch?

From there it’s a small step to a cell phone, wi-fi, various insurances (which someone demands you have), a termite bond, a backpack, trashcan, lightbulbs, a coffee maker, and a microwave.

I don’t think any of that is excessive. In my world, those things are required. Well, almost.

But even with all that, contentment is elusive. Everyone – yes, everyone – is working hard to steal my contentment and sell me something. From door-to-door folks to ads that accompany my Google searches, hard working sales people hawk so many things I never knew I needed! Everything I own can be upgraded to something better. Shelf lives are short, so everything must be replaced often. Who has time to be content?

Maybe Paul was writing about himself and his traveling companions. On their missionary journeys, they didn’t have to worry about homes and vehicles and everything associated with them. Indeed, all they needed was some clothing, some food, and a place to stay for the night. It’s like living out of a backpack, working odd jobs, and depending on the hospitality of others for a place to stay.

So, in this example, the less I have (just a backpack) – or see others have – the more content I am. That’s not intuitive. But it’s worth pondering.