Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Do you ever get a notion in your head that you?ve just got to have something? Maybe a new car or sofa. What about a big screen TV? A new house, condo at the beach, summer cottage at Martha?s Vineyard. Don?t say you?ve never wanted one or more of these luxuries, of course you have, we all want things we don?t really need.
I myself love campers, yes campers, you know RV?s, recreational vehicles. Class A, B?s, and C?s, tagalongs, goosenecks and especially campers with lots of slide-outs. At the RV Show at The Greensboro Coliseum this past weekend I drooled over many a new shiny home on wheels. Some models even have double sinks in the bathroom, one for me and one for him. No more waiting to brush your teeth. I even saw a few with islands in the kitchen just like in a fancy house. Some have electric fireplaces in the living room, and hookups for a washer and dryer. Now that?s camping.
I especially liked one camper I saw, it?s a Park Model. You might ask, what?s the difference between a regular camper and a Park Model? Well, let me tell you. A Park Model has a full size refrigerator, a big boy potty, and slide-outs to die for, and? some even have full sized bathtubs.
Most of us ?Campers? do what we call trading up. You know you start out with a 1972, 14 foot tagalong, then you graduate to a 24 footer, then before you know it you own a 2005, 28 footer with one slide-out. Then one day you decide you just have to have a 41 foot Park Model. Often times our wants get us in trouble, trading up sometimes comes with a whole passel of problems.
First, and foremost trading up means spending more money, and believe me these Park Model beauties are not cheap. Second, you can?t put a 41-foot Park Model on a 36-foot lot. I?m sorry it just won?t fit. Third, you can?t hook a 50-amp camper into a 30-amp outlet. Oh yes, you can buy the adaptor that converts your electricity from 50 amps to 30 amps, but you won?t be able to watch TV and use the microwave at the same time. Or, use the hair dryer with the air conditioning running. Okay, maybe it would be worth it to keep running to the breaker box, or would it?
We have to realize that some things are just not meant to be. Do I really need a 41-foot Park Model, with ceiling to floor windows that face the New River? No, I don?t need it but honestly I do want it.
In my younger day I would have thrown caution to the wind and somehow purchased that Park Model. But with age comes wisdom, and a contentment that can only be found when we realize that in whatsoever state I am to be content.
Trust me, trading up is not always what it?s cracked up to be. Be happy with what the Lord has blessed you with.
