One month of last year in our scripture writing group, we focused on verses that talked about God’s “bees.” I especially enjoyed writing out Hebrews 13:1-5. God mentions a few “bees” in this passage of scripture.
Verse 2 says, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. This is a good reminder to practice hospitality, which I will leave for another time.
Verse 5 mentions a couple “bees” as it says, Let your conversation be without covetousness… This is a good reminder to not be consumed with a desire for wealth or another person’s possessions.
However, my attention was drawn to the second “bee” found in this verse because, on most days, I struggle a lot with this one. It “stings” me much more often than I would like to admit.
The second part of verse 5 says, …and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Contentment is defined as “feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.” How many people do we know who are happy and content with where they find themselves in life right now? Often, we hear people say things like, “I wish I could get another house,” or “My car is so old. I need another one,” or “If only I could do this or do that, things would be different.”
I think many of us have felt unhappy or dissatisfied, at times, with our lot in life. We think we should have more or be doing more. We spend our time coveting what others around us have instead of being happy with what God has already given us.
I have found myself doing this frequently over the past couple of years. This is when I must stop to remember this verse, and others like it, to remind me of God’s provision and timing. All too often, we forget that what God provides is sufficient. No amount of whining and wishing things to be different will change our situation.
In Matthew 6:31-32, it says, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
So many times, I am guilty of letting myself wallow in the dungeon of, “Why can’t I just retire and spend the rest of my life doing what I love most?” I see others around me who are retiring and leaving the workplace to pursue their dreams. Then, the devil likes to nudge at my heart to make me covetous of their ability to do this because my heart’s desire is to have time to paint and create until the Lord takes me home. I do not want to sit behind a desk for the rest of my life! However, that is where God has me now, so I need to enjoy where I am by making the most of what He has given and of where He has put me. I gain nothing my coveting the lives of others.
I am right where God wants me, and I have exactly what God knows I need at this particular time in my life. Although there is nothing wrong with striving to be better or with trying to obtain things that make life a little more enjoyable, we should not desire to do things just because we are jealous that someone else is doing what we wish we could do.
We must be content with what we have now. We must be satisfied with our possessions, however meager they may seem. Whether single, married, or widowed, we must be happy with our status in life. We must be satisfied with whatever situation God has put us in now. God knows best.
I came across this quote the other day that really spoke to my heart. It says, “Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t.”
Learn to trust God’s timing in everything. Being content in the life God has given us right now is one of the most important lessons we ever can learn.
by April Hernandez
