The saying goes, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". That is not always the case. In fact, it has been my experience that the way things are often end up being the better side of the fence to live on.
I am not talking about striving to succeed in a business or desiring to "get better" at something. These are good things to do and to pursue. I am talking about being satisfied with what you have. If you have opportunity to gain wealth, or get a better job, or move to a different place or whatever, great..but do not get to the point to where you are never satisfied. That is a vicious cycle that never ends. Always wanting more, always wanting to "change", always wanting "what the other guy has". I have known people in my life who think: "if I just found another man/woman, I would be happier" or "If I just had a better job" or "a better car" or etc...Those people, most of them are not any happier and in some cases they are more miserable than before.
I think that living life by the principle of the long haul does a person good. I am 45 years old. I am getting grey hair on the sides and back of my head. It takes longer to recover after a good workout. It is harder to lose weight than it used to be. I need a new pair of glasses because my eyesight is changing so rapidly. But you know what, I am content. I am happy right where I am. I am in this life for the long haul. I may die in the next five minutes or I may die 40 years from now. I don't know and I don't worry about it. Why, because I am learning what Paul learned 2000 years ago, he wrote, "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 Christ who strengthens me."
For Paul, the key to his contentment was found in his relationship with Jesus Christ. It was that relationship that allowed Paul to be "content in all circumstances". When I choose to make my relationship with Christ my goal, I am content with my life. On the other hand, if that relationship with Christ is not in order, or is not my priority, I become miserable and dis-content. It really is that simple.
Change, as we are seeing in the headlines every day is not always a good thing. I am getting older and will one day die. But my relationship with Christ will last for eternity. Hmmmm...I think I will put all my hopes and dreams in His hands. Man, it feels better just saying it.
