Stop It – 2024 CONTENTMENT CHALLENGE #3

LIVING CONTENTMENT

2024 CONTENTMENT CHALLENGE

#3

This month, Living Contentment is The 2024 Contentment Challenge. So instead of the regular- something to: read | do | pray – I’m sending out these shorter, more actionable Contentment Challenges. Enjoy!

Challenges so far:
#1 – Gratitude
#2 – Finding Fulfilment
#3 – Stoping

#3 Just Stop It.

So many times RESOLUTIONS are about what more we can do. Start exercising more. Write every morning. Spend more time doing this. More effort for this. More attention to that.

But what about less?

What about the things that could improve your life by no longer having them?

Even in terms of our walk with God – so many times we don’t need to do more – but less.

Revelation 2:2-5

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”



Jesus said to this group of followers:

  • I know your deeds you’re doing the things you should be
  • I know your hard word which is a different word than used for ‘works” – this has a sense of hard work that costs something
  • I see your perseverance – the patience you have living in a society that is often against you.
  • You know what is evil – and you call it out
  • you have endured through tough times

BUT…

What did they lack? what had they left behind?

It seems these followers had allowed doing Christian things to take priority over being Christians.
They were doing things for God – instead of being with God.
They seemed to love the idea of God – more than God

They were missing Love.
The most fundamental aspect of a Christian life.

They sure didn’t need to do more – but perhaps could benefit from doing less.

Maybe Jesus would say about you:

Hey Reader,
I see your volunteering, and teaching and preaching, and sacrificing and publicly standing up for truth, and so much more….
But …what about me?

Today’s challenge is to not try to do anything else. In fact – perhaps you need to stop doing some things. Good things. Worthwhile things. Holy, Godly, helpful things…in order to do more important things.

Cut back to the core – and spend time with God.

Just the basics: reading his word, spending time in prayer.

Nothing else.

George

15503 106 st, Edmonton, AB T5X 5W7
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