Contentment.

An old Muddy Waters blues lyric says it like this:

Well I'm goin' away to leave, Won't be back no more,

Goin' back down south, child, Don't you want to go?

Woman I'm troubled, I be all worried in mind

Well baby I just can't be satisfied, And I just can't keep from cryin'

Well I feel like snappin', Pistol in your face

I'm gonna let some graveyard, Lord be your resting place

Woman I'm troubled, I be all worried in mind,

Well baby I can never be satisfied, And I just can't keep from cryin'

Well now all in my sleep, Hear my doorbell ring

Looking for my baby, I couldn't see not a doggone thing

Woman I was troubled, I was all worried in mind

Well honey I could never be satisfied, And I just couldn't keep from cryin'

Well I know my little old baby, She gonna jump and shout

That old train be late man, Lord, And I come walking out

I be troubled, I be all worried in mind

Well honey ain't no way in the world could we be satisfied

And I just can't keep from crying

-"I Can't Be Satisfied" -Muddy Waters

As a young human and musician I fully understood and agreed with Muddy.

Later, somehow and from some printed form as I was on the way to faith in Jesus I read these astonishing words of Paul the apostle:

"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. -Philippians 4.11-13

Those words absolutely blew me away! I mean, really??!!!

I immediately thought "Either this guy is a full-on liar or I need what he's got!!" The next question was "How?!"

First of, it's about learning... learning to be content. That's a course many never take and refuse to deal with in their own life. A pity and a shame because nobody is born nor even born again "knowing it all".

To learn means to listen, study, take time, practice, fail and try again. It's not about throwing our hands up and sinking, living in despair of ever finding contentment. But--- contentment how, and in or by what or whom?

And regardless of the circumstances?! Woah... like I say, this guy's a faker or he's onto something. The term "content" links easily with being full, but what -when we are in deep need, when hunger persists?

Of course the punchline is obvious. He arrived at this spiritual and practical state of peace and contentment because of his relationship with the risen Jesus. He realized he truly, really could do "all things" because of the unlimited strength of Jesus in whom he dwells and Who dwells in him.

Spiritual ether, nonsense, an empty pipe-dream you may think?

So what IS the definition of contentment? Is it about having enough? Perhaps it's what others pour into our lap without strings attached? Having each and every need... or actual desire and dream met, showing up "on our plate" without any effort on our part?

"Contentment": happiness and satisfaction often because you have everything you need or at least think you do.

God's Word (Bible) mentions contentment a number of times. Here are just a few points to ponder -then to consider these in light of your thinking, choices and relationships.

"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment." -1 Tim. 6.6 So... if godliness, getting closer to Him and seeking a deeper relationship to Him isn't really your aim will contentment ever come to you? I'm convinced it will not.

"If we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content." -1 Tim. 6.8 We are often so focused on so many other issues that even the most basic needs of our life including food and clothing are not noticed -though it's "by His hand we're fed." We don't give Him thanks, we seek personal glory and focus only on our natural ability to get/consume, if it's not the clothing or food WE desire we're ungrateful, blind and deaf to God's provision.

Idolatry happens just like that -and it's the most common and wide-spread religion going.

When we are the center of our universe God is not. Chasing our own tail, deciding we're our own "designer" is somehow going to lead us to satisfaction, fulfillment, contentment? That, dear reader, is a myth we've been literally bought and sold into and what we've told ourselves.

Thus, being content is a fleeting, fleeing ghost because God created each of us for Himself and it's only in Him genuine contentment exists. The other view is all about circumstances and whether we get what we want vs. what we truly need.

Things to consider as we journey through this life? I'm convinced so -and have continued to learn this is what it means to be content.

As always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn