The Pursuit of Contentment

The pursuit of contentment

by Sam McDonald

Donna and I went to the Delta this past weekend to visit family, and on the way down we got to discussing what success really is. Is true success measured upon the worldly scale, or upon a more spiritual one? Does achieving success, according to the world, disqualify you from success in the eyes of the Christian world? Isn't contentment synonymous with success? Shouldn't it be? 

[We have some interesting discussions on road trips]

I guess different folks will always have different perspectives from which they view these questions; but can one be truly happy without contentment? I fully believe it's OK to have aspirations and goals because there is happiness in the pursuit of aspirations and goals, and contentment in the effective journey to reach them; but discontent in one's situation in life, combined with an obsessive flaying (at any and all costs) at living it, can leave gaping holes in what is true happiness.

Donna and I feel that a section of Paul's letter to the church at Philippi was probably inspired by God for such ponderisms. 

(Philippians 4:11-13 NASB) Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

When you get to Paul's level in your contentment you will realize happiness in being what God has created you to be, and find joy in the smallest delights that were, before, taken for granted. Singing birds move into your yard; babies softly crying in Church seem sweeter and promise of future church generations; slow moving elderly are snapshots of our future, and some of the habits of our children bring up memories of our own past. The annoyances that always got to us still do... but their grips upon us are no longer insurmountable... their effects upon our living are no longer as disquieting. We can handle, deal, or cope with, whatever comes along by hiding in our heart the 13th verse of Philippians 4, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me".

So... find contentment... reach for those goals.... be happy in the pursuit of them... and be content in being a shining reflection of God's presence in your life in whatever you are doing. Do that, always keeping God and family first, and success is an inevitability.

I guess that contentment to a Christian is a mystery to those that don't have Him in their life. Donna and I are both so GRATEFUL that He is in ours. 

Our prayer is that all will come to contentment through Him. The world would be a more peaceful place.

God bless all there,

Sam