The idea of being content but not fulfilled or satisfied is one that for many years somewhat baffled me. How can I be content yet desire so much more?
In accepting contentment am I denying myself the possibility for further or enriched satisfaction?
Those are some of the thoughts we’ll explore together here on this edition of “Becoming Today”.
As I explained in, “Heart ❤ First, Then 🖋 Ink”, my process involves several steps. First something involving our shared journey will find its way into my heart. When it does, then I start to release it with ink.
Yes I still use ink on paper. It helps me add to the tone, the texture, to craft emphasis of our conversations. Followed by the magic. After refining my vision for the post then almost wondrously it is transformed digitally and nearly instantaneously transmitted to you and more importantly for you.
For today’s topic we’ve arrived at that point of transformation and I am content in that yet accepting that it still has the potential to develop into so much more. So in essence I am content yet not fully satisfied. I am fulfilled yet remaining expectant for the next level.
It’s something that I had to learn. For quite a while I believed that if I accepted feeling content that I was becoming complacent. I was settling and not achieving the possibilities of full potential.
How wrong I was.
To realize that, I had to transform my understanding of what living in the moment was. First clue it’s not living just for this moment.
Music has always been important for me. It’s a blessing. A refuge. A solace. A place where I am free to feel. Free to be. Free to express myself. However in this case initially it was music that played the wrong note in my search for knowledge.
When I heard and contemplated the term, “living in the moment” I initially would hear in my head, “sha la la la”. Then I would hear “live for today, tomorrow doesn’t matter. I was mishearing the song, accepting a misinterpretation of a lyric, leading me to falsely believing it was preaching to do whatever makes you feel good now and don’t even be concerned about any possible repercussions.
That’s not at all what the song was about.
As performed by The Grass Roots a folk group that went psychedelic, the lyrics do say:
“And don’t worry ’bout tomorrow hey, hey, hey
Shah-la, la-la-la-la live for today
Live for today…”
However when considered in the proper context they are talking about being content in the moment. Not shutting down or becoming a slacker, but being accepting of the circumstance without worry, without fear and allowing tomorrow to come as it will.
This is a lot like the words of Jesus:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
-Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Well “shah-la, la-la-la-la live for today…”! Imagine that it is alright to be accepting of and content in the moment while still being cognisant of our need for more.
Looking further into the lyrics, we can hear,
“We were never meant to worry
The way that people do
And I don’t need to hurry
As long as I’m with you…..”
Now where my interpretation differs is I believe the “you” should be capitalized.
Where the group is content as long as they are with a woman of their desire. I say and know I can be worry-free and enjoy things at an unhurried pace as long as I am with You, meaning God.
Being accepting of His Grace, trusting Him and “Becoming” faithfully forbearant I can continue singing,
“I’m glad that we are different
We’ve better things to do
May others plan their future
I’m busy loving you….”
Again the “you” for me is with a capital “Y” translating the verse, I am happy to be set apart, for my life has a purpose, so I won’t worry about the future because I’m busy loving God, my provider, my sustainer, my waymaker and protector.
Even in secular music and culture He can reach us, providing answers, if we are freely seeking them.
The idea of learning to become content in the moment is not new, though some might say it is born of a revolutionary spirit. As centuries ago it was given light in the writings and experiences of the Apostle Paul.
In the Scriptures conceived while Paul was imprisoned for his beliefs, he shares in Philippians 4:11-13, how he overcame lack, hunger and so much more by the realization that he ‘can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
The Passion Translation version of the Bible records this lesson as,
“I’m not telling you this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be satisfied in any circumstance. I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.”
–Phillippians 4:11-13 (TPT)
Infused with the explosive power to conquer every difficulty. That certainly sounds “Becoming” to me.
Content yet more than sustaining and uplifting to assist me in reaching that next level of satisfaction in which I can achieve by remaining steadfast in my faith and living expectantly for and in the love of Christ.
I began today’s conversation with these two questions:
How can I be content yet desire so much more?
In accepting contentment am I denying myself the possibility for further or enriched satisfaction?
The answer to the second inquiry, the short retort is “NO”.
When accepting and even vocalizing that I am feeling content in the moment, living it fully to the best of my abilities and doing so in accord with the Lord, I am denying nothing. I am simply being all I can be within a temporary situation.
This too shall pass, and when it does something better will take its place.
So as for being content and still desiring more, it is absolutely pssibe and a requirement for us along our shared path on “Becoming Today”.
Without that desire, the motivation to seek and receive more we stagnate, we get caught in a quagmire of defeat. I;ve been there, done that and am done with it. Let’s continue our journey content in renewed momentum of moving forward and upward, maybe even singing together as we continue on…. Ready?
“One, two, three, four
Shah-la, la-la-la-la live for today
Shah-la, la-la-la-la live for today
And don’t worry ’bout tomorrow hey, hey, hey
Shah-la, la-la-la-la live for today
Live for today…”
As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts, comments or questions below.
Or if you feel the need to communicate in a private confidential way, please reach out on the form on our Contact page.
I really do wish the best for each of you and pray for those who find these words while seeking to be of assistance to you daily.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 