The Choice Not to Chase
A good friend is celebrating his 60th birthday this month. As his son raised a toast at his birthday party, he said something that peaked my interest. He said,
“My dad is the most content person I know”
I started processing those words and realized his dad is the most content person I know too! So I asked him for his ‘secret sauce’ and here it is.
1. A heart of gratitude – His default setting is gratitude. No matter what may be lacking or missing, his focus goes back to “thank you God” for all he’s been given.
2. A historical perspective – Doing the research and remembering where he came from, he knows the poverty of his ancestors…the hard work and sacrifice of his parents, his modest means growing up. The past reminds him how far he’s come and how blessed he is.
3. A choice not to chase – This is a big one. He’s decided not to chase riches or titles or relationships or popularity or fame or power. He’s opened the door to let God send whatever He wants, and he’s decided to be satisfied with it, whatever ‘it’ is. He’s called, not driven. He’s not lazy, complacent, or fatalistic. He’s motivated, challenged and engaged with people, their stories and their work. He’s ‘on purpose’. He works before an audience of One. And most importantly, he has faith to trust God with outcomes. All of them, large and small.
Money is such a big part of the deal for most of us, in part because we believe things we chase will come if we have it. But who among the super-rich do you truly admire? Whose life would you swap for? God reminds us, (in Hebrews 13:5) “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have”, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” My friend doesn’t have a lot of money but he has enough. His contentment comes from the last part of the verse…in God’s promise “Never will I leave you.”
When I think about the people I know, those who are the most content are the most grateful (Imagine that!). They have a good grasp of where they’ve come from. And they aren’t chasing anything. They’re pursuing God and His righteousness in their lives and families. They’ve figured out that “… godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
Solomon, the wisest man in history may have summed it up best…
“What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” Ecclesiastes 2:22-25
Question: Are you content? What are you chasing? Is it worth it? Tell us here.
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Responses (6)
I am content in my life. I have begun a mentorship with a young 20 year old whose father has left him emotionally years a go. I have begun the process of reading a new book once every 4 weeks. I am leaving a church who will not follow God into her neighbourhood. My wife and I will go to work in a mission on the “other side of the tracks”.
I am content to follow wherever God leads me and this year has been the year of transformation. I have a few people to thank who showed me I can live differently, but really I am following Micah 6: 8.
so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to.
Hi Regi, I have worked in what some people would refer to as ‘full time ministry’ all my formal engagement life. It’s been great and fulfilling. However the family has grown now and the financial responsibilities has increased and are not being met with what I get from this engagement. I have been thinking of launching out into something else or seeking another engagement that can help meet the familial obligations.Is this some kind of a’chase’?
Godliness with contentment is great gain.
Absolutely
Regi, I am learning to be content. I have to admit that for many years (perhaps too many) I was not even close to being contented. Sure there are things I wan to change in my life but as I grow older I am learning to enjoy each day for whatever it brings.
It’s a process for sure…one I’m still in.