One Life – The Key to Contentment
The key to contentment is found in accepting a few fundamental truths about God and life; First, God is and God is Love and loves me with a perfect and unconditional love. He is love and love always wants what is best for me and so I will always have all that I need to do what is best. His Son’s death in my place to take the punishment that I deserve establishes the value He has placed on me.
Second, I deserve nothing, have earned nothing, and all that I do have that is good I have as a gift of God’s grace (grace = unearned favor and sovereign kindness) I have no claim on God, He owes me nothing, but He created me specifically, not accidentally, and He has a plan for my life that He has chosen uniquely for me and is obligated to equip me to do and to supply me with all I need to complete. The happiest and best my life can be is found in doing what God created me to do. It really is that simple. Life is short, eternity is long, and the best thing that I can do in life is to prepare for eternity. The best that this life can be, and the best that eternity will be for me, is to find that thing that I have been created to be and do and then do it trusting that God will give me all that I need moment by moment. Whatever it is, it will always be there when I need it.
We live our lives in the present moment and in each moment there is the opportunity to choose to trust God and to accept that He knows just what we need and that He has provided it. True contentment is found in the moment as well. The past is gone and can’t be changed, the future hasn’t appeared and when it does it will be the present.
So contentment is really a choice based on what I believe about God, God’s nature, and my purpose in living. If I choose to believe that I am a unique creation of a loving God who has made me to do things that are important to Him and that He will provide all that I need to do all He wants, I can always choose to be content. I either have all that is best for me or it is soon coming when I really need it. No worries.
If, on the other hand I see myself as a random accident of random material reaction I had better never be content. The “stuff” of this world is all there is and I better try to get as much of it as I can before someone else gets it first or I check out of here into nothing. Apart from knowing God as who He has revealed Himself to be there is no basis or hope for contentment, just a restless yearning for something more that is always just, just out of reach. An emptiness that can’t be filled no matter how many things I cram into the void that only God and His purpose can fill. I can run from the “next thing” to the “next thing” to the “next thing” but each accomplishment or acquisition always leads me back to the question “What’s next?” More is never enough.
Perhaps the saddest thing in the world is to see a child of God choosing to live as though they were a random accident.
What’s next for you? It’s your choice. I’ve been learning to be content in the moment with God for 36 years. It’s been more than great! I wouldn’t change a thing or trade my life with anyone or for anything. I have lacked nothing and have always had all I need and much more than I deserve. My hope is all that and more for you.
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Buck Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of The C12 Group, LLC - Christian CEO and mentor. Buck has an extensive background in successful organizational development based on the principles found in scripture. The motto of the C12 group is "Building great companies for a greater purpose." 
Love this thought: More is never enough! Contentment is more attainable than the next thing. Thanks for the reminder!