The Knopf Family

Contentment
The Rolling Stones sang a song about satisfaction. What is it that would keep someone from obtaining satisfaction? What is it exactly, that he sings of? Has he not ever experienced happiness? What is your definition of contentment? What is my definition of contentment? I have been thinking about this question in my mind a lot lately. Thinking of it in terms of my relationships, in relation to movies I have watched recently, in relation to my dreams, my desires, my pleasures…my very own satisfaction. A few synonyms for the word contentment are happiness, satisfaction, pleasure, comfort, peace. The dictionary defines the word as gratification, pleasure, satisfaction. One philosopher even quoted that contentment is moral laziness. Now that’s interesting to me. That view shines a positive light on those that are in constant search of that so called "contentment". For some reason, I have always believed that if I didn’t feel content, that it was a bad thing.
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Contentment is such a pleasant sounding word. It conjures pictures of green meadows, trickling streams, peacefulness, and calm serenity. Contentment is a place where all your needs are cared for. It sounds like fantasy doesn't it? Is this for real? Where do we get it, why do we need it? Are there people that just don’t have it in them to find it? I have heard that contentment comes from God alone. Some say that seeking God and getting to know God brings us contentment. The apostle Paul wrote about it in Phillipians 4:10-12 when he said "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content". I know this place exists, for I myself have been there from time to time. From time to time? What? Does that hint that constant contentment isn’t a possibility. If we are content all the time then how to we have imagination to "dream" to set goals, to ACHIEVE more.
Recently, I was reminded by a friend about my own contentment. She and I hadn’t talked in years and she said "I miss you, you just always seemed to be happy with right where you were at the time". She reminded me of how I would just sit on the porch and talk to her, encourage her. I thought to myself, WHAT? ME…content? No way. I am a searcher … constant searcher and what she just said to me was that she sensed "contentment" in me. It then hit me…she sensed it because sitting on the porch talking to her was me living in my strengths. I am a born includer and communicator, personality. I thrive when I am in interaction with others. I have always known this all my life. Recently through a womens study at our church I took the Clifton strengthsfinder test that confirmed these talents. I am learning to focus on my strengths not my weaknesses and definitely to NOT make my strengths a weakness as I always tend to want to do. There are some strengths that do not go hand in hand with the definition of contentment. Some people will always have that whisper of discontent, always wanting to do more. THAT IS A GOOD THING. Does it mean those people can’t experience contentment? NO WAY! They will experience contentment by living in their strengths. Maybe some of us just need to be content with being discontent. Now that isn’t a simple way of looking at it but not everyone is SIMPLE. Adam wasn’t content with all that God created before God brought Eve. What would have happened if Adam just said okay fine, I am content with the animals, the sky and the trees…..THEN WHAT? God needed Adam to long for more to fulfill HIS plan. He needed Adam to give in to that whisper of discontent. God needs those personalities that aren’t naturally content to continually search so that He can fill His plan for their life as well. Not being content doesn’t have to mean unhappiness. It doesn’t have to be viewed as a bad thing. It is a strength in some people. We don’t want to quench it. Contentment and happiness do not have to be one in the same. You can experience happiness no matter what.
What does contentment look like? This will be different from person to person. God has shaped each one of us differently. Therefore the action we take will depend on which gifts, talents, abilities, life experiences, and personality God's given us.
So, lets celebrate contentment in many forms! Embrace who we are…..HOW GOD HAS MADE EACH ONE OF US!