What is the difference between contentment and the status quo?

QUESTION: The Bible instructs us to be content. What is the difference between contentment and the status quo?

ANSWER SUBMITTED BY PASTOR JAE ALEXANDERDictionary.com defines status quo simply as "the existing state or condition". In other words "how things are right now."

The definition for contentment no matter it's form (noun, verb, adj, etc.) always has the attitude of the individual(s) experiencing the contentment in view. So here is the difference between these two things: Status quo is simply a reflection of the state of things and contentment is a reaction that one can have to conditions they are experiencing.

I think that may not speak to the heart of your question. Many people, including myself, struggle with being content. We can often want for something else or sometimes just kind of resign ourselves to what is going on around us. Neither is really what God wants for us. So, why is contentment sometimes so difficult to achieve? I believe it has to do with our view of the Gospel and our identity. There are two scriptures that come to mind when I have to remind myself of when I am struggling with contentment.

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, fortomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:31 - 34 NIV
Jesus is dropping some serious wisdom here! He is telling people that God is completely aware of what you need. He is not a capricious God who only has His own self interest in mind. He is a caring Father. Jesus plainly lays out our identity here when He says, “your heavenly Father” he meant it. So, where is the “Gospel” part in Jesus statement here? I believe it is in the part when He says, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”. Something that I think is sorely overlooked by the church is the fact that Jesus’ mission was to establish HIS Kingdom. Jesus actually practiced what He preached here! Now, God’s righteousness is given to us ONLY by the perfect, sacrificial, substitutionary death of Jesus. He traded us our unrighteousness for HIS righteousness which gave us the one thing we needed most; peace with God.

Every time I have been discontented in my life, I can trace it back to not remembering the Gospel truth or who I am because of it. This is why I think the Apostle Paul wrote this in his letter to the Philippians:

“11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
Paul, learned to remember how the Gospel affected him daily which helped him to remember who he was in Christ. He drew strength from these facts. We should too. The status quo & discontentment aren't for us, they are subtle tools in the the Enemy’s arsenal. He can keep them, we’ll take the promises we have in Jesus!

In Christ,

Jae Alexander