Reading my daily bible today I was struck by the days introductory devotional from Max Lucado.
“Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” John 6:35
It went on to remind us that there are times when the one thing we really want is the one thing we do not get. We pray and we wait and then pray and wait some more. But what if God says no to your request? What if He reminds you that you already have His grace and says that should be enough? Will you be content?
What a pertinent question and actually what does it mean to be content? Max Lucado says “content – A state of heart in which you would be at peace if God gave you nothing more than He already has”
I know contentment is something I have tried hard to work at over the last few years. I’ve very much realised that happiness does not come in the form of things or ‘more’. I recall a post I wrote on my other blog back in 2011 that said –
Do you know what I believe are two of the fundamental keys to happiness? One, is to choose to be happy and the other is to want what you already have! Endless seeking of things, money, status, time or anything else will never fulfil you!
My gut reaction is that I’ve done quite well in regards to being content but actually reading this devotional today has had me pondering this topic more deeply and I’m now left with some questions to answer.
- If I never lost any weight again and I always stayed this fat would I be content?
- If ill-health meant I lost my mobility, hearing or such, would I be content?
- If this was as good as my marriage would ever be, would I be content?
- If I never met that close girl friend that I long for, one I can really talk to and trust, would I be content?
- If my kids retained all their childish annoyances forever, would I be content?
- If we were never to own our own home or car again, would I be content?
- If I remained in voluntary work for the rest of my life, would I be content?
- If there was no money at all in the bank would I be content?
I’m sure there are loads more but these are the first questions that come to mind for me. Your set of questions could be quite different, as it will depend where your priorities lie.
When everything is going well and there is hope for change in the future then it is easy to say that right here, right now I am content but if nothing changed again ever, would it still be the same?
Something for us to ponder on and pray about I feel.
Have a blessed week, Mich x
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18 Comments
It’s tricky isn’t it, because as much as you want to be content with what you have now, you still want to have goals and drive to achieve more. It’s about finding the balance for me I think.
Balance in indeed really important and I suppose for me the drive to achieve more is about change and looking at what it is I’m trying to achieve, not just more money or a bigger house if you know what I mean.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…On Being Content
I think sometimes when you start questioning contentment without prompting it probably means you’re not content. So many of us these are desperately searching for a life that isn’t attainable.
Ness recently posted…Sunday Snap – The Lost Steel Industry
Ohh interesting take on it. I do agree many people are forever seeking and looking for the unattainable and then never seem to find a happy medium.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…That’s Important
I think we all have to find that peace within ourselves and if we have a connection to a Higher Power then we are blessed, as we know we are not alone in the world. That you are pondering such things is good as it helps you to expand your awareness and deepen your understanding. Through self exploration I have found my inner reserves and I practise strengthening them and connecting to my Higher Power daily through meditation.
JuggleMum, Nadine Hill recently posted…How to juggle like a mum!
I often ask myself similar questions and although our lives are not perfect we are content as we are, but do strive to improve them too
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What a really interesting post Mich. I remember the time that I told my dad that God wasn’t listening to me as I had prayed every night for three weeks for a bike for my birthday and I got a typewriter instead! My Dad responded with “He was listening, he just said NO”!
I think that we are at a point in society where we all think that happiness is a right. I do not always remember my Mum being happy.
You make a really good point Jen, people do nowadays expect and demand happiness and actually we all have a choice to make about whether we will be content and happy or not. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…They Don’t Know What’s Best For Them
Oh questions…I am never content and I so wish I was…Your post really make me think.
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Being content for me means a reality check on occasion. I remind myself that there are always people who cannot ever hope to have a life as free or happy as I have, and then I feel selfish for any petty grumbles I have about my life.
I think we all need a reality check every one in a while Sara-Jayne. Thanks.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…That’s Important
Contentment is something that I have been pondering/struggling with over the last 18 months since we moved from the US back to England. When I find I am getting restless and not content with where I am, I pray for the Lord to ‘change my heart’ and seek His peace…I find myself having to go back to basics and try and soak in Matthew 11: 29-30 Dee x
I just looked that verse up in the Message as I wasn’t finding it that easy in the NIV and it is lovely –
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Thanks, Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…They Don’t Know What’s Best For Them
We have so much to be grateful for , so much we take for granted and there is much to be said for a ‘normal day.’ As a nation, surely we deserve to be more content than we generally are. Thought provoking, thanks Michelle xx
As a nation we definitely seem to want for too much and when you compare us to many we have so very much, so it really is off kilter. Mich x
Wow. You took so much from this devotion. I definitely feel like I live a good life, but I wouldn’t say I’m content. There’s always room for growth. There is a lot I have in this life to be grateful for, but I have a hard time with the idea that God wouldn’t want me to grow more, lose weight, have more confidence in myself, etc. I have a really hard time with the belief that he would want me to maintain status quo or be content with the way things are and never change. So, while I think your questions are intriguing and really made me think, I’m not sure God wants us to be content in everything all of the time. Just maybe not self-seeking? Or buying all of the things all the time?
I don’t know. What do you think? Am I completely off-base?
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I love your perspective, I think you are right God would not want us to rest on our laurels and not change. I think I was just trying to say it is good to be content where you are at that point and to be thankful for all you have, not to live a life of continual striving and never feeling as if you have achieved enough. Thansk so much for all yoru great recent comment Mandy, they mean a lot. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…That’s Important
[…] I have? Part of this project was to become more content with the way we live and Michelle over at Progress not Perfection shares her thoughts on being content and what it means to […]