Philippians 4:11

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

If you were to ask me on July 11th what kind of things make me content, I would say something along the lines of: a summer day with an iced grande non-fat chai tea latte in one hand, my bible in the other, tanning myself in the sun. An afternoon nap with my cat cuddled up on my lap. A Sunday spent with my family watching football, munching on chips and salsa, and ladling up some hot chili before the evening game. Watching an episode of Gilmore Girls before bed after a long day, with a cool Fall breeze coming in through the window.  Yes, this is how I would have described contentment for myself. Thankfully, my time here in Guatemala has turned this whole concept upside down. I would still say that the list above are things that make me happy, but they are not things that bring me lasting satisfaction. The chai tea runs out, my tan fades, my cat wakes me up, the football season ends, and the night only allows for so many Gilmore Girls episodes.
So what does contentment really mean then? When I think about this verse the first thing that comes to mind is that Paul wrote it while in prison. I don't know about you, but I don't think Starbucks hand delivered Chai Tea Lattes back then. Especially to prison. He was writing about something much bigger. Much greater. Something that lasts. He was talking about contentment in The Lord. Something that can't come from the things the world throws at us. Because honestly, sometimes the world throws you twenty bucks through a scratch off lotto ticket and other times it throws you a fender bender at the four way stop in the middle of town. I don't want my satisfaction in life to rely on the ups and downs of this world. I want it to be in something constant. And that is Jesus Christ.

Personal Application
Today, I am going to put a marker in my bible at this verse so I can quickly turn to it when something doesn't quite go my way. In the margin I am going to write, "IN PRISON," to remind myself that Paul was the perfect example of contentment, even when he was in what the world would say is a hopeless situations.