Contentment

by Max Lucado

Satisfied? That is one thing we are not. We are not satisfied. We push back from the Thanksgiving table and pat our round bellies. “I’m satisfied,” we declare. But look at us a few hours later, back in the kitchen picking the meat from the bone.

We wake up after a good night’s rest and hop out of bed. We couldn’t go back to sleep if someone paid us. We are satisfied – for a while. But look at us a dozen or so hours later, crawling back into the sheets.

We take a vacation of a lifetime. For years we planned. For years we saved. And off we go. We satiate ourselves with sun, fun, and good food. But we are not even on the way home before we dread the end of the trip and begin planning another.

We are not satisfied.

As a child we say, “if only I were a teenager.” As a teen we say, “If only I were an adult.” As an adult, “If only I were married.” As a spouse, “If only my kids were grown.” In an empty house, “If only the kids would visit.” As a retiree in the rocking chair with stiff joints and fading sight, “If only I were a child again.”

We are not satisfied. Contentment is a difficult virtue. Why?

Because there is nothing on earth that can satisfy our deepest longing. We long to see God. The leaves of life are rustling with the rumor that we will see him. And we won’t be satisfied until we do.

#######################

Content in this article is taken from the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Study Bible.

Read along with celebrated, beloved preacher Max Lucado as he shows you beauty and hope in the Scriptures. Hear the stories and read the Bible with Max Lucado’s comforting and recognizable voice. The features in this study Bible help you to see that what happened on these pages is still happening today. The truths of old are still the truths of today.

Bible Study

More
  • how to be a good citizen

    How To Be a Good Citizen

    What does it mean to be a good citizen today? Should... Read more
  • If I'm a Good Christian, Nothing Bad Will Happen

    If I’m a Good Christian, Nothing Bad Will Happen

    If you are good enough, can you stop bad things from... Read more
  • what does god think about people

    What Does God Think About People?

    How does God see humanity and what are we supposed to... Read more

Comfort

More
  • What Christians Should Do About Social Justice

    What Christians Should Do About Social Justice

    What is a Christian's responsibility when it comes to... Read more
  • Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen

    Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen?

    Why would a God who is all loving and all powerful... Read more
  • the over scheduled woman

    The Over-Scheduled Woman

    It is so common for women to think that they need to... Read more

Devotional Reading Plans

More
  • If I'm a Good Christian, Nothing Bad Will Happen

    If I’m a Good Christian, Nothing Bad Will Happen

    If you are good enough, can you stop bad things from... Read more
  • Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen

    Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen?

    Why would a God who is all loving and all powerful... Read more
  • How to Lead Small Group Discussions

    Leading a small group comes with its own obstacles and... Read more

Prayer

More
  • What the Church Fathers Had to Say About Christmas

    Read these passages of advent alongside timeless... Read more
  • A Top 100 Most-Asked Question About the Bible for the New Year

    Many people who read the Bible don't understand what... Read more
  • teach your children to pray for others

    Teach Your Children to Pray for Others

    This study from the NIV Adventure Bible can help you... Read more

SpeakLight

More
  • Romans 8:28 SpeakLight Danny Gokey

    Romans 8:28 / #SpeakLight / Danny Gokey

    And we know that all things work together for good to... Read more
  • James 5:16 - Steven Malcolm

    James 5:16 / #SpeakLight / Steven Malcolm

    Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for... Read more
  • 2 corinthians 5:17 phil joel

    2 Corinthians 5:17 with Phil Joel

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new... Read more

Spiritual Growth

More
  • what the church fathers had to say about easter

    What the Church Fathers Had to Say About Easter

    Take some time to reflect on the death and... Read more
  • What Christians Should Do About Social Justice

    What Christians Should Do About Social Justice

    What is a Christian's responsibility when it comes to... Read more
  • What the Church Fathers Had to Say About Christmas

    Read these passages of advent alongside timeless... Read more

Topical Reading Plans

More
  • He is Not Here

    He Is Not Here

    The death of Jesus, the death of God, was the most... Read more
  • What is the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible

    What is the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible?

    Many people have found the Thompson Chain-Reference... Read more
  • who really was jesus

    Who really was Jesus?

    The author of the book of Hebrews explained, using... Read more