Oak Hill Church of Christ 8-17-25 "Contingent Contentment"

Oak Hill Church of Christ Preaching Minister, Randy Sterling, delivers a message on the importance of being content with what God has provided in our lives.

In the second Back to the Future movie, Doc Brown heads to the future of 2015 (yes, that's 10 years ago now) and sees that things haven't all turned out the way they should have. His friend Marty's life is a mess and his family is in dysfunction. So he recruits Marty and his girlfriend to go to the future of 2015 to set things right. The result is complete chaos. Changing events has a knock-on effect that results in the collapse of the present into a dystopian nightmare.

Often, we may think to ourselves that if we could change the circumstances we're in, if we could change an event, undo a decision, or force an outcome, then our lives would be better. Then we'd be happy. Then we'd rejoice in what God has given us and the blessings He bestows.

What the Bible teaches in Philippians 4:11 that the goal of the Christian is not to try to change what will be, or mourn over what was, but, rather, to find peace in what is. Today is the day God has given for all the things that today brings. The Christian should learn to find peace in 'today,' knowing that it is God who will deliver tomorrow, if that is His will.

If you find yourself discontented because you mourn over the past, or fear for the future, consider shrinking your focus to today, and finding God's power to take that challenge on. As Paul writes in verse 13, "I can do everything through Christ, who strengthens me."