Craig Schaaf (@Schaafcraig)

Deeply Thankful For Deep Contentment I love it when the first snows of the season bury the ground. The beauty is one reason for sure, but it is much more than that. I love the seasonality of the homesteading lifestyle. During the spring and early summer it can be very busy. But once the garden has been tucked in and is ready for winter, there is a wonderful sense of accomplishment and deep satisfaction that settles in. The root cellar is bursting with the summers bounty, and jars are filled with dried wild mushrooms from summers foraging. There is a sense of wealth. The kind of wealth I think God intended man to enjoy. Not a full bank account of money that seeks to give someone a sense of security against what may come, trying to make sure that a person will have what will be needed. No I have had bank accounts with plenty of money in them before, they will never come close to giving the deep satisfaction someone feels that has a lifestyle of productivity, in symbiosis with the land and living systems around them. The living systems God designed us to have a relationship with, and to be stewards of. No amount of money can ever replace that relationship we were created to have with the living systems around us. We have been hardwired in every way to need that relationship. In fact it works to enhance the most important relationship of all, our relationship with our Creator. The many tens of thousands of species of microbes in a thriving soil microbiome, are many of the same species that are necessary and thriving in a healthy person’s gut. The only way your gut will have these needed life forms though, is if you are intimately involved in the symbiosis yourself. Mankind in their obsession with security (money) and ease (not having to work so hard), has stolen from themselves the health, and many of the joys and deep satisfaction that accompanies that important relationship. I have heard a lot in the past few months about young people struggling to get started, and purchasing homes. My heart goes out to them because for the most part their elders and society have failed to set a good example for them. They have been encouraged to go into debt. This is not the Lord’s way. The scriptures make it clear that being in debt is bondage and considered being under a curse. The reason young people feel compelled in this way, is because they have been told it is the only way. It is not the only way. There is a way of faith, that enhances your relationship with the Lord, that brings true joy as you enter into it. A way that brings spiritual rest. But it takes contentment. 1st Timothy 6:5-10 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Oh if I could get young people to understand the significance of what God is trying to reveal to them in these verses. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Godliness and contentment take great humility. In fact they are impossible, if you fear what man thinks, more than you fear what God thinks. If you fear what other people will think, you try to figure it out before making a decision. This kind of fear paralyzes so many people, because no decision could possibly please all the people around you. Once you understand the truth, you will see it is a total waste of time. If you fear what the Lord thinks, then you will always take the time to try to figure it out. Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. I can tell you of a surety these verses are true. I have been walking with the Lord now for 38 years. He has always been faithful. During that time I have not always been faithful. In fact I have failed Him, and those around me more times than I would want to admit. But He never gave up on me when I fell short of what could have been. I have been faithful in some areas though, and I am reaping an amazing harvest of contentment. What I will refer to in this article, as deep contentment. I was unable to post the full article on Gab because it was too long. This link will take you to the full article if you would like to read the whole thing. https://craigschaaf.substack.com/p/deeply-thankful-for-deep-contentedness