Contentment

John 14:8 - "Master, show us the Father, then we will be content."
or
"Master, show us the Father, for He is all we need."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWzjAd7_hhc

TAKE AWAY (lyrics)

Rid me of the notion that I ever had any rights
Cleanse me of the motives that come in such a clever disguise
Ruin my agenda, holy as it never was

It's all from Your hand
and there's nothing that's mine
and all that You give
You're free to take away

I'm just trying to hold on, clinging to the dream inside
I was only selfish, and you were only part of my life

It's all from Your hand
and there's nothing that's mine
and all that You give
You're free to take away

Every breath, every word
There isn't one thing I deserve
And all that I am is Yours

--Mainstay

As part of our bible study at home, Scott has had us praying John 14:8 for the week.  At the same time, I have been listening to Mainstay again.   These two things came together for me.  I like the word content.  Not in the sense of being lazy or lethargic or having arrived, but content knowing that on this journey, I have His perspective.  Praying this scripture as a prayer, reminds me Who is the Master, Who He is imitating, and that in seeing.....I am content, my soul bows to Him, and I surrender in trust.

The song brought some words to me that helped deepen the understanding.  I would think that there would never be a definition of contentment with the words, "rights", "my agenda", "selfish", "motives" or "only part".  Jesus, the Master, shows us the Father, because he has no rights, agenda, selfish desires and motives, or only partial commitment.  He says, "To see me is to see the Father." He has surrendered to the Father.  He listens to Him and Him alone....not the demands of the crowd, the lure of success, or the fear of failure. 

Tozer said, "God may allow His servant to succeed when He has disciplined him to a point where he does not need to succeed to be happy.  The man who is elated by success and is cast down by failure is still a carnal man.  At best his fruit will have a worm in it."

I don't want wormy fruit.  Fruit that was produced from my own efforts or for my own recognition.  When you let God take you to a place where you don't have any chance for success and you discover that He is still there, that He still loves you and values you, and that He is really all that matters.  That the recognition of man is fleeting, but not His acceptance.  That people really flock to "success", but run when the going gets tough.  That splashing in the shallows is much more appealing than swimming into the deep. 

Paul, in chains said, "Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally.  I've learned  by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.  I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.  I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.  Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am."

Yes, Lord, show me the Father, and I will be content.  Cleanse me of selfish motives and agendas and the need for success.....for all that I am and have, is and has always been from your hand.  So, You are enough....You are all I need.

Let's go swim in the deep......