ALWAYS WANTING MORE

BY PASTOR DJ OQUIST

I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE IN NEED, AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO HAVE PLENTY. I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT.

PHILIPPIANS 4:12 (NIV)

We live in a world where the next and newest best thing is constantly changing—from cars and clothes to currently trending fads. Refined and redesigned technology comes out every year. The upgraded model of whatever you just bought comes out when you get yours out of the box. This revolving door makes most of us feel behind in some way, causing us to always want more than we have.

We already know this, of course. You may have heard the once-trending term “First World problems,” but let’s take the concept from our head to our heart. Although something in us pulls us toward the new, what we know is this: Constantly pursuing what we want only leaves us wanting more. This chasing after the wind causes us to feel dissatisfied and unhappy.

Paul says he has learned the “secret” to this problem: being content no matter the situation. He had been shipwrecked, stoned, and beaten, and he even wrote this letter while in prison. (None of those are First World problems, by the way!) Yet none of this daunted Paul, who lived for something beyond this world. Instead of wanting something material, he learned to be content no matter what.

This is not to say that wanting something new is necessarily bad because, at one point, Paul did have it all. We need to understand that no matter the season of life, we can be content.

What’s the secret?

“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).

This verse recognizes that your desire for something is a desire that can be filled only by God. The difference between God and this world is that the world promises us temporary happiness, whereas God can give us lasting joy. It’s just a matter of what or who you desire to pursue.

I wonder if the problem you are facing today has nothing to do with wanting more but with what you allow to fill that hole in your life. I can promise you one thing: Pursuing God will never let you down.

Moving Forward

In what area of your life do you feel dissatisfied? Take a moment to ask God for the strength to be content in whatever season you find yourself.