Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Contentment. It’s not standard equipment for human beings! Babies don’t have it – they want what they want when they want it. Learning contentment is a lifelong process and often a very painful one at that. Even Paul said he had to learn patience through the things he suffered (Philippians 4:11-12).

Caleb is one of those unsung heroes in the Bible who never had a movie made about him. But his life is one of devotion and faithfulness under difficult circumstances. Only he and Joshua had faith that God could defeat the giants and give the promised land to the Jews. The other 10 spies influenced the people with their fear and as a result the nation wandered for 40 years until that whole generation dies off. Only Joshua and Caleb remained to enter the land. Caleb had to suffer the consequences of disobedience even though he stayed faithful to God. Imagine having 40 years of your life wasted because of the sin of others?

Then when they entered the land God chose Joshua to replace Moses. Caleb was passed over, but he had a good attitude and helped Joshua any way he could. His faith didn’t waver for when Joshua offered him his choice of the land he picked the very place where the giants were the strongest. Then he and his clan defeated them by themselves (with God’s help). What a story of lifelong devotion, of faithfulness, of willingness to be a support player and help in any way he could. What an example Caleb is for us today.

Scripture
Philippians 4:11-12, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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.”

Numbers 14:23-24, “Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”

Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Reflect

• Do you get jealous when someone else gets more attention than you?
• Are you content in your present situation, or does discontent keep popping up in your heart?
• Are you willing to be a good number two man, supporting others without getting the credit yourself?
• Is you faith stronger now than when you first believed, or has the unfairness and injustice in life caused you to start doubting God?

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Jerry Schmoyer has been a minister in Pennsylvania for over 25 years and has worked with teenagers for 14 years, ever since I became one myself. He authors the weekly Time Out series here at Life in Student Ministry in hopes to spiritually refresh your soul as you continually pour so much of yourself into students. God bless!

Posted on February 22, 2009