Whether he is at the party, or alone with Rose, there is no pretense in Jack. He knows who he is, and he IS who he is. He is not burdened with regrets, jealousies, bitterness, or unforgiveness. All of this explains his overflowing joy. He does not pine for what he does not have. He appreciates everything he does have. He has learned the secret of contentment that Paul writes about:
“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, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Philippians 4:12
This is why Jesus instructs us to forgive, and not to worry:
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you... Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.”
Matthew 6:14
Jesus wants us to live intentionally. He knows that worry, and unforgiveness will get in the way of that. He wants us to have complete joy:
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:11
Living without pretension, walking in contentment, forgiving freely, being free from the need for others’ approval, all speak to the method, or the way we approach life. The other component to intentional living speaks to the motive, the driving force behind our life’s efforts.
The method is HOW you live intentionally, and the motive is WHY you live intentionally.
Readers, are you living free from regret, worry, and unforgiveness? You can, but it is an intentional choice only you can make. I pray we all can learn to live within the freedom that Jesus died to give us.
Note to readers: Sorry this post is late! I just switched over to a Macbook and am learning how to use it! Thank you for your patience, and for continuing to visit my blog. I pray it is a blessing to you. Stay tuned for the next post!
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