Love Well
Lately I have been looking up words in the Bible that promote characteristics I desire. I started with the word “peace”. Finding those places led me to search out “quiet.” I could find the Greek word that was used in the original writings, and they did shed some light on both.
Peace and Quiet directed me to Contentment, and that’s when my word study took a new turn. I could not find an instance in my Bibles where I was given a link to the Greek word that had been translated. I had a few choices here. I could either go to Bible Gateway and get lost in all the study helps they offer, or just go to Webster’s Dictionary and see what it said.
I chose Webster’s, because I didn’t want to get off track and I thought I might get overwhelmed with too many resources at Bible Gateway. For me, simpler is better. Besides, I wasn’t preparing a message, I just want to learn to be more content in whatever place the Lord has me.
In looking at Webster’s, I remembered that “content” has more than one meaning, and the two are not related. Or are they? Kun-TENT means free from care or waiting quietly. CON-tent, on the other hand is an amount of specified material contained.
As I thought about this word, I decided that the two meanings ARE related in my walk with Jesus. What I allow to settle in my heart – the contents – determines my contentment! Both Colossians 3 and Galatians 5 give me a list of characteristics that I am to “put off”. And then they tell me what I am to “put on”. Things like mercy, kindness, humility, patience and love which binds us together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:15 wraps it all up for me: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Lord, please help me to remember that what I allow to stay in my heart determines how much peace and contentment I experience. Thank You for the timeless truths we find in your Word.
Lately I have been looking up words in the Bible that promote characteristics I desire. I started with the word “peace”. Finding those places led me to search out “quiet.” I could find the Greek word that was used in the original writings, and they did shed some light on both.
Peace and Quiet directed me to Contentment, and that’s when my word study took a new turn. I could not find an instance in my Bibles where I was given a link to the Greek word that had been translated. I had a few choices here. I could either go to Bible Gateway and get lost in all the study helps they offer, or just go to Webster’s Dictionary and see what it said.
I chose Webster’s, because I didn’t want to get off track and I thought I might get overwhelmed with too many resources at Bible Gateway. For me, simpler is better. Besides, I wasn’t preparing a message, I just want to learn to be more content in whatever place the Lord has me.
In looking at Webster’s, I remembered that “content” has more than one meaning, and the two are not related. Or are they? Kun-TENT means free from care or waiting quietly. CON-tent, on the other hand is an amount of specified material contained.
As I thought about this word, I decided that the two meanings ARE related in my walk with Jesus. What I allow to settle in my heart – the contents – determines my contentment! Both Colossians 3 and Galatians 5 give me a list of characteristics that I am to “put off”. And then they tell me what I am to “put on”. Things like mercy, kindness, humility, patience and love which binds us together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:15 wraps it all up for me: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Lord, please help me to remember that what I allow to stay in my heart determines how much peace and contentment I experience. Thank You for the timeless truths we find in your Word.
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