Presence

Dear Lord, thank you for your perfect and eternal love. Show me a glimpse of that love during my quiet time of prayer today.

Scripture Reading

Philippians 4:10-12 NRSVue

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.

Reflection

Am I confusing greed and ambition? Is nothing ever enough for me? Do I always want more, bigger, better? Am I living my life in pursuit of the societal goal of constant and complete happiness rather than aiming to be “reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next”?  Today, for just one day, I will be content with what I have. If I catch myself wanting more, I will stop and say a prayer of thanks for all that I have. 

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, please give me the gift of being able to be happy in all circumstances, to be at peace and content with whether I have much or little, in a worldly sense. In knowing you, I have all the riches I could ever want. May I experience this more and more as a reality in my life, as the deepest fact of my life.  Amen.