Sshh… It’s a Secret!

Philippians 4:11-13  I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Sshh… It’s a secret! 

Back in the day, I didn’t have a CLUE! I looked in all the wrong places – at the wrong people – read all the wrong books – believed ALL THE WRONG secrets to a happy life.

In hindsight, it would have been helpful to get a clue to what I was searching for. I was looking for happiness but had no idea what it looked like… “the state of being happy” (from the dictionary on my computer). Well, that’s helpful, does anyone have a map?  Must be somewhere over the rainbow, because it’s not one of the 50 states of our union! 

I have to admit I was LOOKING FOR something that I had no idea what it LOOKED LIKE so how will I ever know when I arrive?. I had not yet met King Solomon, who was definitely blessed with everything he needed to “do” life. He seriously set out to find the secrets of life and he started by searching for the what is, the what for, and the how too. Had I read Ecclesiastes, I might have avoided a few of the dangerous potholes my life fell into… maybe! I was so cocooned in the small Iowa town I was raised in, I was simply NOT READY to meet, greet and take control of life, but “boy oh boy” I KNEW if anyone could find the land of happy, I would be the one!

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.”  Ecclesiastes 2:1

And behold, it too was futility.  I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”  Ecclesiastes 2:2

What indeed does it accomplish? Can you say A-D-D-I-C-T-I-O-N! My computer dictionary starts the definition of addiction as a “brain disorder”… (characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences). Well, duh! L-U-S-T of the flesh… L-U-S-T of the eyes… and the boastful P-R-I-D-E of life. (1 John 2:16)

And what is lust? (Lust is a psychological force producing intense desire for an object, or circumstance fulfilling the emotion while already having a significant other or amount of the desired object.) In other words… “There is NEVER ENOUGH nor will there EVER BE ENOUGH!

The dictionary leads one to believe (psychological force) that this is some kind of outside source that MAKES us this way, thus we are “victims”. I tend toward believing we are the only creature that has been endowed with the GIFT OF FREE WILL!  If we are indeed victims (I say slaves) , we are victims (slaves) to the worst of the worst plantation owner ever… OURSELVES!

“Satan (or whatever name we substitute for evil) made me do it”, is a complete and utter lie! He might have given the suggestion and prepared a persuasive marketing ad promoting our opportunity, but the choice to indulge was/is/will always be ours and only ours!

What’s the OTHER choice?

Peace… peace with life, peace within our circumstances, peace because our heart is at rest. 

I want some of that! Mary, what’s the secret?

I have learned… to be content… (my trusty computer dictionary… again… CONTENT… adjective: in a state of peaceful happiness… verb: (content oneself with) accept as adequate despite wanting more or better… noun: a state of satisfaction… MY DEFINITION – a state of peace!

And here is what the state looks like… I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Notice that the secret to contentment (peace), isn’t in the gathering of all things necessary for your perfect world. Notice that there is no waiting for the perfect environment before class begins. In fact, learning contentment (peace) requires the non perfect, ever changing, day to day opportunity to EXPERIENCE true satisfaction of life. The kind of peace that destroys worry. The kind of peace that SHOUTS,  “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

The truth is, neither you nor I, nor Santa, nor your pet unicorn can “un-worry”    trouble. Trouble came when the opportunity was taken to remove God from His number ONE position! Sin sent us out of God’s perfect world, and now, the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  Romans 8:22 That’s trouble with a capital T-R-O-U-B-L-E! But we did it (and continue to do it) our way! What do we get for our effort? An A+, a brain disorder called addiction.

Some would say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results… “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!  Matthew 6:22-23 There is only One Way to turn our “body” from the insanity of darkness to a body of contentment – a body filled with the light of peace. Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  John 8:12

It’s no secret! I have learned… to be content and at peace… I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Rather than seeking a “state” of happiness, I have learned to pursue the state of contentment.  Contentment with who God made me to be. Contentment with how He plans to grow me into His Mary. Contentment knowing He will never leave me nor forsake me. Contentment knowing His Will, will be done. 

No more insanity… no more calamity… no more chasing “happy”.

My Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.  John 14:27

I chase Jesus…  seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (contentment, peace, wisdom, strength, abundant life) will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

The Perfect Secret… but don’t keep Him a Secret… Rather than Sshh as in silent – lets make it Sshh as in Side by Side Hand in Hand!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.