BUYING THE STEREO
Philippians 4:11
I had an interesting experience buying a stereo as a teenager. I dreamed of getting one for Christmas when I was 19. I knew it would make me happy. I could hear the music playing and see myself swaying. I really needed it. But, Christmas came and went and I didn’t get my stereo even though I had made many hints to everyone about what I wanted.
I wanted happiness so I didn’t give up. I began to dream of buying a stereo for myself. One Saturday afternoon, I went down to JC Penny’s big store and saw a stereo sitting on the shelf. It was playing my song.
I went home and worked hard and scrounged up enough money to buy it. So I walked back to Penney’s. It was still there. I bought it and lugged it home over 2 miles.
I hadn’t thought about records. I assumed the stereo would have one. But it didn’t. So, I had to buy one. I looked at the albums and finally bought Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. It wasn’t my favorite record but it was mine. I played it over and over and over.
After a few days of playing the stereo, I noticed it had a “pop” in it. It never again worked right. I was very disappointed. I didn’t find happiness and then lose it. I never had it. It was illusive.
Paul said that he had learned to be content in Philippians 4:11. You aren’t born content. You must learn to be content. I was learning.