A Christian's Contentment - or - The Tortoise & the Hare

I am currently reading through 3 books: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades by Rodney Stark, and Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley. Last night I jumped into Christian Contentment for a little "light" reading before bed. If you wish to be convicted about personal behavior just grab a Puritan Paperback. These books show the life of a puritan held deeper thought and reflection on a single page than I have in a week. I went to sleep feeling uneducated, flippant, shallow, and heathenistic. But, it also gave me pause - to see those areas in my own life and realize that I still need to seek for change, to still seek Him with heart, soul, and mind. I may do that, but I fall short in quality .....often.
Anyway, what I read last night caused reflection:

 "Contentment is not merely one act, just a flash in a good mood. You find many men and women who, if they are in a good mood, will be very quiet. But this will not hold. It is not a constant course. It is not the constant tenor of their spirits to be holy and gracious under affliction....A Christian who, in the constant tenor and temper of his heart, can carry himself quietly with constancy has learned this lesson on contentment. Otherwise his Christianity is worth nothing, for no one, however furious in his discontent, will not be quiet when he is in a good mood." (pg 29)

This statement paralleled the Tortoise & Hare fable I have been using with the writing students. I found similarities between the tortoise and a contented Christian. No matter the trial or circumstance do I continue on toward the goal. Do I count all things joy? Do I plod faithfully? or am I more like the Hare? boastful about minor accomplishments, quick off the starting block, whine loudly and claim many a "Woe is me" to garner attention? So confident in my end goal that I forget to even run the race that is set before me?



from Disney cartoon