Is it possible to find contentment in the discontented world in which we live? I have reached the age when I find myself assessing my life, as if we could properly do that! Even if I should reach the age of my parents, I am now in the last quarter of my earthly existence. The hope is that we can make the most of our remaining days. In this Solomon and his father King David agree. Hopefully we do not look backward in nostalgia or regret, but to learn. Finishing our life journey well is important. As Solomon said, the end of thing is better than its beginning. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)
Anyone who has lived for many years understands the following words.
Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. Ecclesiastes 1:8 (NLT)
When Solomon wrote these words, he showed a tremendous lack of contentment, despite his great wisdom or, perhaps, because of it. With much wisdom comes much sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18) because we understand what is really going on.
I see people who are not content in their lives, their marriages, their jobs, their ministries, or their churches.
It is impossible to satisfy the desires of discontented people because only God can fill that void.
What does it mean to be content? Are there any secrets? Solomon shared what he thought about it.
Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 (NLT)
Some of us are so engrossed in the pursuit of what we do not have that we fail to enjoy and appreciate what we do have. What a waste!
Contentment begins with appreciation for what God has given to us.
This is a huge key to relational happiness as well. It is a serious mistake to focus on another person’s faults because, if we are not careful, that is all we will be able to see. Likewise, we can fault find at work and at church. Faultfinding never ends well because we always reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7)
Contentment rests in the knowledge that we are loved.
When we know this, it enables us to make it our goal to love others, which increases our level of contentment.
John wrote about this in his first letter.
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:16-19 (NLT)
When we are not sure if we are loved by God for who we are rather than for what we do, it creates discontentment. Picture a cat purring as it nestles up next to its owner. That is a great example of contentment.
God wants us to be completely content in his love for us, which is the foundation from which we can do the work of the kingdom properly.
John Piper once said that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him.
There is a reason that Jesus rose from the dead on the day after the Sabbath. We begin our week resting in Christ’s victory. We start from a place of rest.
We are not trying to earn our victory or rest: it is God’s gift to us.
Jesus invited us to join him in his position of perfect contentment and rest.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
This is God’s invitation to the discontented. Come to him to be set free from your wearisome pursuit of what cannot be found outside of our Lord Jesus. If we learn what it means to be content in God’s love, we can let that love overflow to those around us, including those who still searching for what we have found.
