The relevance of this topic cannot be over-emphasised in the world today and especially in the 21st Century Church. It’s easy to be satisfied when things in life are cruising well. But how often does that happen in a life full of uncertainties? Apostle Paul offered a plausible advice in Philippians 4:11 – “Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Do not destroy what you have by desiring what you don’t have. By putting your life on hold waiting for what you want to occur, you may be waiting for a long time! Therefore always remember that what you possess now was once part of things you hoped for in the past. Be guided by the following “red lights” in your quest for things:
- Greed. By spending considerable time on what you don’t have, you are rubbing yourself of enjoying what God has already provided for you and you stand in the position of an ingrate before your Maker. While goal setting is good, focussing so hard on the end result at the detriment of rejoicing in the Lord for the present achievement can be dangerous. Therefore praise God for your current state.
- Fear will want you to run from something that is not chasing you. It’s the enemy’s way of denying you: peace and stability, tormenting you with the ‘what ifs’ of this world and keeping you from trusting God. Remember what Psalm 56:4 says.
- Searching for satisfaction in the wrong direction. Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). It’s said that we spend our first fifty years on earth searching for security, and the rest of our lives looking for significance. Be wise and turn to Jesus for true contentment.
