I’ve been thinking about my list that we talked about earlier. I began to compile some entries of things I would like to accomplish, places I would like to see, and just some general things I would like to experience. Then I was interrupted by some philosophy on the subject.As a whole I think lists of these kinds are a good thing. Life gets busy. Perhaps it’s good to have some of these things recorded lest a lack of being able to focus and see them before me would cause me to miss an opportunity to achieve a God-given desire of the heart.
However, I know people who allow their lists to keep them living a life of want. Their hopes, dreams, and wishes are not winged preparing them for the future. Rather they serve as weights that keep them in perpetual discontent.
I have had seasons of discontent. For me continual dissatisfaction is not way to move forward. This kind of thinking is frustrating and stagnating.
In Philippians 4:12-13 Paul says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
1 Timothy 6: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.
However, there is the other side of the coin. Contentment can also be used as an excuse for becoming spiritually and physically dormant. I have also been plagued by the “good enough for me” mentality. This also has never proved to be a philosophy useful for moving forward.
God has a lot to say about contentment in the Bible. Contentment in Him. However, as far as I can tell God’s contentment is not about living at a standstill but about action.
I'll put a few of these things at the top of my list:
1 Timothy 6: 11-12 (Paul's Charge to Timothy)
- pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
- Fight the good fight of the faith.
- Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
- Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 3:12-14
- Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
- But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
- straining toward what is ahead,
- I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
- 1 [a] Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
- 3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
- dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
- 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
- 5 Commit your way to the LORD;
- trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
- 7 Be still before the LORD and
- wait patiently for him;
- do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
- 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
So having said all of that here is the rest of my list in progress:
- I would like to travel to
- …and to the Tulip Festival in
- I would also like to visit
- I have had my sights set on a hot air balloon ride for years.
- I plan to become a published author.
- Finish my college education
- Learn to make stained glass
- Build bird feeders with my sons and take up watching the birds on short winter days
- Whale watching
- Disney World. . . to be continued. I would love to hear some of yours.
Have a great day.
