CONTENTMENT COMES WITH MATURITY

Contentment Comes with Maturity 

Susan Barnes

"'No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet …" "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!'" John 13:8-9 NIV

First Peter doesn't want Jesus to wash his feet, but then he wants Jesus to wash his feet, hands and head! Feet washing was a regular, domestic, occurrence when you entered a house in ancient Israel. The weather was hot and dry, the roads were dusty, and sandals were the norm. Jesus was performing a service usually done by servants. 

Peter, feeling uncomfortable with Jesus doing this, goes from one extreme to another. He is not able to sit with his discomfort. He seeks to draw attention to himself, and away from Jesus’ purpose.

Like Peter, we sometimes go from one extreme to another. By doing so we create a diversion, redirect attention, and perhaps give ourselves a thrill. 

The Christian life is not an emotional roller coaster, where we generate excitement, or create one mountain top experience after another. 

Rather it is about coming to a place of maturity, and learning to be content in all our circumstances (Philippians 4:11).

Some may think this is boring, but there is nothing dull about the life Jesus wants us to have. He said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). 

It is important that we come to the place where we are convinced that God knows what is best for us. Then we will no longer have to use distraction and attention seeking, to have the full life God intends.