Overpopulated Prisons

I want to update a message that I shared with some friends in September of 2009 as I was reading (yes, again!) in Max Lucado's book entitled "Traveling Light". I was pondering the author's excerpt about the prison of want, otherwise known as the burden of discontent. At that time, I had no idea what the near future would hold.

It is so easy to move ourselves into this overpopulated prison. There is always something bigger, better, nicer, newer, trendier that we want. A new house. A new spouse. A new hairstyle. A new gene pool. A new TV. A new vehicle. A compliant child who hangs on our every word, never rolls his/her eyes, and holds the belief that parents still possess some viable brain cells. A miracle drug that will instantly (and without any effort on our part, of course!) melt away ____ pounds (You get to fill in the desired number). You get the idea. It is the "I will be happier when" syndrome.

During my years as an Air Force nurse, I met plenty of people who voluntarily took up residence in the prison of want. They always whined that it had been better at their last assignment, or eagerly anticipated that it would be better at their future assignment. But, they were never (I repeat, never) happy at their present assignment. They constantly lugged around that overstuffed duffel bag which contained the extremely heavy burden of discontent. I have no doubt that we have all carried that same bag at one time or another in our lives.

Check out what Paul says in Philippians, chapter four. He had learned to be content in all circumstances. Paul had experienced times of being in need, as well as those of having plenty. He shared about this just prior to writing the verse which is a favorite of so many. We draw strength and courage from this verse during the trials of our lives. Yes, it is Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I am claiming that one during this time in my life.

I am learning more than ever that my joy does not depend on my life circumstances. There is a leper on the island of Tobago who agrees. Lucado wrote about a short-term missionary who was leading worship in a leper colony. As he asked if anyone had a favorite song, "a woman turned around, and he saw the most disfigured face he'd ever seen. She had no ears and no nose. Her lips were gone. But she raised a fingerless hand and asked, 'Could we sing Count Your Many Blessings?'

What was it that I was grumbling and whining about as I sit in my self-created cell of discontent? Wait. Something is happening to my hand. I feel my fingers loosening from around the handle of the heavy duffel bag which contains that burden of discontent. Is it really possible that I am already feeling lighter?

Psalm 142:7 - "Set me free from my prison, that I may praise Your name."

Would anyone out there be willing to leave the baggage and join me outside of our prison walls? As we walk together into the courtyard, we take in a deep breath. The fresh, clean air infiltrates our lungs. Let's join hands and sing all four verses of.....You guessed it....."Count Your Many Blessings".