Our Piece of the Pie

;          I think it was Nelson Rockefeller who, when asked how much money it takes to be happy said, "Just a little bit more."  It is so easy to think that we are one more thing or one more experience or one more accomplishment or one more acquisition away from true fulfillment and happiness.
          Finding contentment with our lot in life is a noble spiritual goal.  It is one of the hallmarks of true Christianity.  It doesn't mean we can't be dreamers or have goals or ambitions; it means that even while we are hoping for an upgrade in life, we are able to enjoy our current situation fully and remain without frustration even if we never have more.  But we live in a world where our eyes are drawn to what we are lacking--especially if we are prone to compare ourselves to others.  There's a reason for the phrase, :Keeping up with the Jones's."
         
Psalm 16:5, 6                                                                                                                                       Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;  surely I have a delightful inheritance.

          What a great way too live!  When we happily accept our possessions, our location, our families--when we give thanks for them instead of complaining about them, contentment is ours.  We'll never "have it all"  except spiritually speaking. 

Romans 8:32 
Since God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God who gave us Christ, also give us everything?

          In Christ we really do have it all!  We have Divine eternal relationships and real estate in heaven and purpose in this life!  Where we live or what we have or don't have as we live out that purpose is really beside the point.

Psalm73:26                                                                                                                                               ...God  the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 119:57  You are my portion, O Lord....

          If we have God, we have everything.  What do we get out of living a God-centered life?  God himself--and who could ask for anything more?  None of us should, but most of us do,  With God, all else should be irrelevant.  This is not an easy mindset to capture in a world full of stuff!  It's inspiring to see Christians who really live out this attitude of joy and contentment.  It's amazing.
          But what is more amazing, and beyond our comprehension, is that what God gets out of the deal is us--weak, sinful, unattractive, insignificant us.  And we are enough for him.  We are his delight.  We are why he got in the game.  For God, it's not about position or possessions.  It's about us!

Deuteronomy 32:9                                                                                                                               For the Lord's portion is his people.