“… all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.” Nahum 3:4
“The wanton lust of a prostitute” is a vivid description of excessive greed, always wanting more, and never being satisfied. It’s the opposite of the position Paul took when he said, “… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …” (Philippians 4:11-12).
Twice Paul says contentment is something that he has learnt. It isn’t something that comes naturally because our human instinct is to always want more and never be satisfied.
It’s not easy to be content in every situation. We live in a world where we’re bombarded with images that create within us a desire to have something which we may not have even thought of owning before we saw it advertised. Or perhaps these images create a desire to have a better, smarter, newer version of something that we already own. It’s easier to focus on what we don’t have, rather than appreciate what we do.
I’m grateful for a class I took at school which pointed out the subtle ways advertisers attract potential buyers. Furthermore, I’ve learnt not to spend too much time reading advertising brochures or taking notice of television adverts. I have practised being more grateful. I focus on God and remind myself if something is necessary for my contentment, God would have already given it to me.
Even so, it’s still a challenge, yet as I’ve developed these disciplines I’ve found myself becoming more content.
