Choosing to be Content

One of the looming problems of our day is that of contentment.  People are unhappy with their jobs, their marriage, their bank account, and a host of other things that could be mentioned.  This lets us know that although we live in a world of increased pay, technology, and enhanced living conditions our ability to be happy remains unchanged. Ours is the same issue that the writer of Hebrews contended with.  His response was “be content with what you have.”  Paul had some of the same concerns when he wrote “godliness with contentment is great gain.” It reminds me of a movie I watched recently.  A star football player is playing in his final championship game before stepping into the big league. He decides to run the last play for the win and gets injured in the process.  Being left with a crippled leg his career is now over.  However, through a series of events he gets the chance to live his life over.  He approaches the same game for a second time, but decides not to play.  While his teammates are sitting in the locker room watching the clock, waiting for their star player to appear, he is meeting with his mother. He is informing her that he has no intentions of jeopardizing his lucrative income with the risk of injury. His mother asks, “Are you not going to play?” He responds, “Things are going to be different mom.” With sternness she looks at him and replies, “What is so wrong with right now? What if this is all you get? What if this is it? It seems like nothing is ever enough for you, you know, and if you can’t be satisfied with what you got, then your never gonna be happy no matter what you get.” Fortunately, he decided to show up and play allowing providence to determine his future.  Sadly to say most people alter their attitude only after getting what they want. It is always after the fact.  But enough is never enough. However, the word encourages us to choose contentment even when our circumstances are not favorable and we face the possibility of personal sacrifice. In essence we can refuse to play the game or we can place our lives into the hands of God and His providential care. The truth is if we cannot be happy with what we’ve got, we will never be happy no matter how much we get. That’s why true happiness only comes when we choose to be content.