“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Tim. 4:1)
I have met people that live in what is considered idyllic places, postcard worthy areas, as they are called, who want nothing more than to escape that place. “Home is where you make it,” and “Home is in the heart,” are just two sayings that attempt to pull people away from the reality of their current situation, “It could be worse” is another.
I believe that no one who has been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ is ever satisfied, is ever completely content, because we are not home, we are not with Christ. There is a longing within us that cannot be assuaged while we are here in the flesh, nowhere on this entire planet is called home for us.
Those who have the financial wherewithal to go on a vacation most generally go to places they enjoy, that if they had even more resources, or a greater desire, would live there, but I have met these people also that have accomplished this, and in a short time what they thought of as “paradise” turned out to be nothing more than where they now live.
I contend that if you have found contentment and peace on this earth, in this life, then you are not seeking those things that are above, for no one who professes Jesus Christ as Lord will ever be fulfilled until they are in His presence.
This has always been the way of Satan’s world, to offer that which is enticing, but is always temporary, is always less than the best. “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:5) He lied, he always lies.
If you found that perfect house with the perfect vista and that vista changes, you will no longer be satisfied.
We are being told, once again, that what the world calls “the elites” have everything that everyone could want, and what they do not possess, they simply find a way to obtain. It is also more than hinted at that they do not deserve what they have, that the rich should give to the poor, that you deserve what they have. It has always been a subtle way to keep discontentment alive in the masses. I ask you, if the rich of this world were content, why do they continue to seek for more?
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11) Paul was just as human as we are, when he was in prison he did not want to be there, when he saw those who were oppressing those who have not, he was not happy. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
You have a responsibility if you understand what is written in this short letter not just to be content, but to help others to see and understand as much as is in them why you are. You must help them to see why you have a longing to be home. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
Discontentment can breed two different areas in the path of a man, it can turn one into a harsh, angry person, depressed, despondent, uncaring or it can cause one to strive for more. Those who strive not for Christ will never find contentment, but only the continual pursuit of the next moment of happiness, they will never achieve what it is they are searching for. Instead of being angry with them, we should pity them.
We face, as it were, the same dilemma, we are also never content, the difference is we know we will be someday, and that contentment will last throughout eternity. It is why Psalm 16:11 has become precious to me, for it not only shows me the way, but the end result. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” We are shown in a small way in this life what awaits us in the next when we see those who seem to have all they could ever desire, yet their rewards are here, they are temporary and fleeting, and they will die as the poor man. (Luke 16:22)
Ours are eternal, and that hope that the Lord has instilled in us is precious to us, for we know His promises are true. I can be content in that knowledge while I draw breath in this life. Can you? “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)