My life would only be better if...

Have you ever been unsatisfied? Have you wanted something more, wanted something someone else had or even yet wanted to be someone else. I'm pretty sure we all have, and probably do right now if we are honest with ourselves. If I asked you right now to make a list of what you want off the top of your head I'm sure you could do it, and it would be a long long list.

I'm not ashamed to admit that these are just a few of some of the things I desire.

A better job

A kinder manager

A family that understands me

Friends that are closer

Nicer clothes

More exciting opportunities

Money for travel

To meet my husband

To be a better musician

To be slimmer

"My life would only be better if..." is in our heads constantly, or at least it's in mine. Thinking that a single one of these things will satisfy me and make my life better will never lead me closer to Christ; it will lead me even deeper into my own selfishness and insecurity. This pursuit of worldly happiness is endless, we will always want more. It is also fruitless because every time we give that desire the power to control how we feel, it will inevitably fail us and the real long lasting happiness we sought is nowhere to be found.

Today I was reading my devotions in 1 Timothy 6 and these verses caught my attention.

^"6But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Being content with only food and clothing seems a near impossible task in this culture where advertisements and the media draw thick lines between how much stuff we have, the reputation we have, the job we have, the people we know, the person we date and how happy and satisfied we will be.

However once we understand that we do not deserve anything and that we have been given everything we have contentment is found.

This summer has been hard to adjust to because I love to be with people, go places, and do ministry all the time. I also hate my manager, feel so mistreated at work, and get paid very little.

But God has been teaching me to be thankful that I even have a family, friends and a job. He is showing me that without all the free time I have I would never be able to accomplish the goals I set for the summer which were a.) growing spiritually (which requires time spent in the word and in devotion) b. growing musically (which requires time spent practicing my instrument) and c. growing physically (which requires time spent at the gym).

God is good all the time. I repeat ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD. *I feel like saying that in a black church right now* Instead of wanting what this world offers me, which will only last in this short worldly life and has no significance in my eternal life down the road, I need to want more of Jesus. I need to want to become a better person, to endure hardship and build perseverance, to be tested and tried for my faith.

The good thing is, I do want these things. I also want to see Jesus brought into the lives of all of those around me even if they clearly see him in my life for but a moment. But the bad thing is that my fleshy desires often scream louder than my Godly ones sometimes.

The solution to muting those bad boys: Learning to find contentment in every situation and circumstance by recognizing that Jesus is the only one who will satisfy and everything I have been given is in the words of JJ Heller

"Not mine anyways"

Hope this helps,

Tess