Series: It's All Good
Message: The Art of Contentment
Preacher: Dena King
Daily Walk: Dena King

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 115:9-18.

Read: Philippians 2:14-16 (Message). Note 1–3 insights or questions that arise from the paraphrase. 

Reflect: This past summer we had an intern work for us at the shop. We were impressed by his positive attitude and work ethic. He put equal energy into the small tasks as well as the big ones. He is just 21 years old but we asked him about his past jobs, what was his worst, etc. He told us that one of his first jobs was working in a bean factory where he stood next to noisy machinery labeling cans of beans for hours at a time. Because of the nature of the machines he couldn’t listen to music and it was too loud to talk with the other workers. So, for hours he had nothing to focus on but beans. He said that he has loved every job since then by comparison. I guess even dusting shelves or counting inventory at our store was better than labeling beans in solitude!

As Christians it is important that we look for those things for which we can be thankful. We all have things we can look back on and say, “At least I’m not there anymore!” In my own life when I am overwhelmed with adult responsibilities and children asking endless questions, I can think back to my loneliness in high school and find gratitude for the wonderful, crazy life that I now live. 

Perhaps you find yourself in the middle of your own bean labeling experience whether it is in your job or relationships. Take heart that nothing lasts forever and perhaps this will be the experience you can use as a measuring stick for other things in life and find gratitude by comparison.

Recalibrate: ​​​What experiences have given you perspective and made other times good by comparison?

Respond: Pray for wisdom to see beyond the challenges of today.

Research: Read “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young, page 128 (May 1st)