Recently I realized that in this time of Covid and moving to Central America, I see myself as having an incomplete life. I've left my former life behind and I'm in the process of building a new life- one that is full and fulfilling. While the particulars of this perspective are accurate, there's something in it that feels "glass half-empty."
If you consider Maslow's hierarchy of needs, I have the base levels down: things like air, food, water, safety and belonging. So many people around the world, and in my own sphere of influence, are still scraping to have these needs reliably met. Because of my safe and comfortable upbringing, meeting my basic needs feels a bit ho-hum. It does little to give me a sense of fulfillment. My standards are higher, my expectations rarely met.
Is my life "half" anything? If it is, that's only because of my expectation to make a difference in the world for God; to use my privilege and blessing on behalf of the poor, the rejected, the hurting. I want my contribution to count, my talents to be used and to yield a great harvest. Short of that, life feels a bit...half-empty, if you will.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
While I wait for doors to open career-wise, am I content in my circumstances? Is it enough that I have food and clothing? Will I thank God for every day I have a roof over my head? I don't want to be an ungrateful child, spoiled from years of enjoying every blessing. Lord, help me to appreciate the life I have, whether it's half-empty or half-full.
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