Being Content

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” Philippians 4:11 NLT

I’m pretty sure I may have alluded to this before, but I’m a dreamer! I just enjoy creatively thinking about ways to do things differently, just to make sure I’m getting the most out of whatever I’m doing.

Sometimes this has led me to want to be an entrepreneur. When I was in my 20’s and 30’s I always seemed to be dreaming of starting a business and working for myself.

I actually ran a landscape and mowing small business in highschool and college. It was a great way to stay in shape and make some extra cash. But, I had other dreams too.

Later in my life, this desire to be an entrepreneur I think tended to make me discontent in what God had me doing for work at the time. I was just always thinking about the next thing. And not really living in the moment and enjoying life as it was happening.

And discontentment creeped in. To combat this I began to think entrepreneurially as a Christian disciple maker. I would dream and pray about how to best make disciples and connect people in the church. It’s probably one of the reasons why I started The Strengthened Heart retreat and discipleship ministry.

This desire I believe led to me dreaming too big for my britches. You see, we are all gifted in certain ways, and I have concluded, I’m probably not the CEO type to run and direct things. It’s just not in my wheelhouse.

It’s taken me awhile to figure these things out. But, through trial and error and lots of griping and one sided conversations with my loving wife, I decided all this dreaming was just frustrating me, and making me feel discontent. Mostly because, when you study the heart, the word “desire” comes up a lot! Like, Lord, here is what I desire to do. And our desires either come to fruition the way you and God saw it, or they don’t and disappointment creeps in. But, don’t misunderstand, I don’t want to throw out desire, I just think we should marry desire with a healthy dose of Gods will, for peace and contentment to reign!

Can you relate? Most guys I meet with have had big dreams along the way. I don’t think there is anything wrong with dreaming. But it’s when we tie contentment to our dreams, and get too restless thinking the grass would always be greener on the other side, is when I tend to feel bitter and bummed.

Today, I can say, I feel content. I’m where I’m supposed to be. I don’t feel this urge to change the world. And I feel peace. My heart feels rested. My mind isn’t always thinking about what’s next. And it feels good. Good, knowing I’m where I’m supposed to be, and God is in it.

I even contentedly spent the last two days this weekend cleaning out my garage and getting my yard ready for Spring! I had a blast tidying things up ensuring the house looks good for Easter company. And I enjoyed it more than ever before! Because I wasn’t busy in my mind contemplating how to change the world! Ha!

Yes, God has rich plans for our lives, and I have had a blast dreaming of ways to partner with God or how to make a living.

But, I love where my heart is at today. Loving my wife, and enjoying figuring out how to encourage my kids in college and highschool, selling for work, and writing this blog, I’m content.

God is good, and His perfect will for our lives as we pursue Him, and give our lives back to Him as a sacrifice holy and pleasing, in whatever we do is the goal.

So, let’s keep dreaming and keep desire alive, but in check and balanced in a healthy way. I’m going to stop tying my contentment to what I do. Joy is found in the Lord, everything else, well, a wise man named Solomon once said, everything else is meaningless.

But, peace, joy and a heart full of contentment brings strength to our soul!

Matt