A Journey in Simplicity: Why We’ll Never Be Content With What We Have

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that.

1 Timothy 6:6+7

Does our happiness rest on what we have, what we don't have, what we could have? Does your contentment rest on the day that surrounds you or the children acting up, or not getting time to yourself? It does many times for me, or at least I think it does, but it doesn't really. To be content is a major requirement of simple living. You can't live simply if you are constantly looking for better, bigger, more- that is just the opposite of simplicity. Lets check out a couple of definitions:

Simple: free from guile-innocent, free from vanity-modest, free from ostentation or display, of humble origin or modest position. ( The Rewards of Simplicity, p. 103)
Simplify: to make more simple, to reduce the basic essentials; render less complex; make easy or easier.
Contented: [pp. of content], not desiring something more or different; satisfied. (Webster's New World Dictionary)

However today I want to talk about the only area in which you are not to be ever satisfied, or contented: your walk with Christ. We are to discipline ourselves to hunger after Christ, by removing barriers out of the way. If I am consistently satisfying my hunger with momentary world fixes, I learn to not look for or covet the real complex, eternal food that comes from being satisfied in Christ alone. In this world, the getting it now always beats the wait, even if it is for something better- something incomparably deeper, richer and lasting.

It is like eating junk at all hours of the day immediately once you feel a craving, of course you aren't hungry for the real meal later on. Or for me personally God has challenged me saying, "why do you think about feeding your body good food, quality food and then feed yourself  spiritual junk just enough to satisfy your craving for Me? You will always come up wanting, always come up full of discontent and never grow stronger until you learn to work on waiting, on patience".

My [daughter], give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways
- Proverbs 23:26

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty"

-John 6:35

So, if that is true why do I crave things? Why do I long for things I don't have- a full person, a person satisfied in Christ doesn't need the world to fill her, a daughter who allows her heart to wait on Christ does not long for more and more. However a woman who chooses junk over the real thing is malnourished and therefore always craving, always hungry-yet growing fat, struggling while reaching for sinking help and this is not just me...we are a malnourished people craving Christ so strongly but filling our bellies with nothing good.

So why won't we ever be content with what we have?? Because what we have doesn't make us content. I am convicted, and with tears in my eyes as I write this because I know I go the easiest and quickest way on a regular basis. I want to learn to not fill my craving for Christ, the Bread of Life with quick fixes: food, entertainment, shopping, web browsing, cheap thrills I want to be consistently contented, and fully satisfied.

Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

- Isaiah 55:2

I have never understood that this verse was speaking to just that, I love the simplicity of delighting in Him, no craving when you consume "the richest of fare".

Let's Talk:
I've had several of you share thoughts in person with me, or by email and some comments as well. Keep them coming!! I love hearing about your journeys. I thought I was only going to do these posts for a week, but God has other plans for me. I don't know for how long, but I know this one was from His heart.

I'd love to hear where you are at with this, where God has taking you or is taking you after reading it. I can't wait to hear!

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If you are just tuning in now to the simplicity posts and are interested in joining us be sure and check out my other posts about this voyage:

A Journey in Simplicity

Starting Out
Fasting for Simplification and Re-Sensitization
The Moment of Truth
Breaking Bad Habits