Internal GPS

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

By nature, we all have the root of resentment and discontentment embedded deep within us. We are all negatively affected by our internal GPS, which means we struggle with –

• Greed – We are unsatisfied with the portion God has given us.
• Pride – We are unwilling to stop comparing ourselves with others.
• Selfishness – We are unable to see beyond our own desires.

Our GPS makes us envious of what others have; sometimes we even get angry at God because we don’t have it! The root of resentment has ruined many relationships, both vertically and horizontally. That is why it is so important to recognize the internal operation of our GPS system and take it to Christ for correction. When was the last time you prayerfully considered the internal operation of your GPS? Is your GPS directing the course of your life upward toward Jesus? Or in the opposite direction?

One of the keys that can unlock the door to changing your GPS for the glory of God is to live by the truth of today’s passage from the apostle Paul. Notice that Paul said he had to learn contentment; it didn’t come to him by nature. He had to draw on the power and person of Jesus in order to be content, regardless of the circumstances he faced in life. Whether in plenty or in want, Paul looked to Jesus and found the contentment he needed to press on in life without the root of resentment restricting his forward progress.

To be sure, Paul knew the full range of human experiences, from the mountaintop to the valley. Through it all, God was teaching him contentment. Is this the confession of your life today? Is it mine?

Contentment is a grace that is not simply given to us in the full amount. Contentment is learned over time and through many trials. The more we look to Jesus the more we will learn contentment. We will be satisfied with our portion because our portion is Jesus. We will be willing to stop comparing ourselves with others because we know we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And we will see past our own desires to the desires and needs of others.

Perhaps the best way to remember how to change your GPS is by changing the words from greed, pride, and selfishness to – God, people, and service. When God is on the throne of our lives, we will love God and our neighbors, we will live lives of service; and the self will have learned contentment. Then our lives will be traveling in a divine direction.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!