I prefer summer to winter, I prefer a cup of good coffee to the less expensive brands, loose fitting comfortable clothes to a restraining suit with the obligatory tie that is necessary to be accepted into certain factions of society. What I prefer though is not always what I receive.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)
We who follow the Lord Jesus Christ are the outcast of society, He is not of this world, and neither are we to be. What we prefer cannot be found here, gratification from the offerings of this planet can never make us content, but sadly, even in small ways, we still attempt to find them here.
To seek for them is still for us a means to be conformed to this world, for those things we would prefer hold us in an emotional way to what we can never be content with. Even this well-worn pen I use to write these letters can, if I allow it to, become an attachment that could hinder the desire of the Holy Spirit for my life.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2)
Affections are emotions of the uplifting sort, they speak not only of what is to come when we get home but are to be found in the contentment of what we have been given here.
What we should prefer is what we have received.
There is nothing this world has to offer that can assist you in growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, its offerings are for the flesh only, and therefore are never eternal in form.
Do you prefer the wisdom of the world, or the wisdom from the Almighty that will reveal to you the foolishness of that wisdom the world offers? Would you prefer the knowledge of this world that would enable you to excel in the ability to gain more of its offerings, or knowledge that would bring much sorrow into your life?
I would prefer one single full day without physical pain, but I am in a small way being taught how to be content with the thorn in my side, and if I can learn more of the Almighty sitting with Lazarus at the rich man’s gate, then that is what I would prefer.
“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:22)
Do you still fear to be in the fellowship of His suffering, is it what you do not desire because you believe you could not be content there? Do you fear to die to self fully and completely because you know that those items that you prefer might be removed from you and never returned? Is your life your own, or His to do with as He sees best to do with?
This needs to be repeated again, and you need to determine which statement you prefer. “What I want is immaterial,” or “Thy will be done.”
I would love to be able to run as fast as I used to, to jump great distances as I once did, to not need that cane that rests in my closet occasionally. But I can wait because of the promise of this verse.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
I can be content in what He prefers for me in this life because of 1st Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
The path becomes much rougher not in the closer we draw to the end of this life, but the nearer that He draws us to Himself.
Every man of God is offered this path, few prefer it, not because of a lack of love for Him, not because the offerings of this world still hold a special place in their heart, but because they do not believe they will find contentment there.
If everything you cherish is removed from you, will you still prefer Christ, can you be content only with Him?
