CONTENTMENT

 WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

It is written in the Bible that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1Tim 6:6) This verse has been hammered into my brain since I was a child, but then it was just another memory verse, just like the others I learned in Sunday school. But growing up, I have come to see the several applications of this verse and how it has helped me lived a happy and fulfilled life.

In our society today, we are blinded by clout and desperately chasing and falling for what we do not have. Scammers on -or-offline would not have a fan base if it were not for our greed. One will see an ad promising free cash, phones, or other gift items and all sense of reasoning will disappear through thin air, all for what? I’ll tell you the answer… we are trying to get what we do not have.

How about fathers and mothers; uncles and aunts; and even children who leave their families to search for the so-called “greener pasture?” I have no doubt we all want to climb up whatever ladder we think will bring us fulfillment and satisfaction. But what happens when you get to the top? When you cannot climb any higher? Do you really feel fulfilled? Answer that honestly to yourself and then pause for a second, hug your husband or your wife or your kids, and tell them you love them. Don’t just tell them you love them- show them you love them. Hear them out. Be there for them. Be the parent or child your family wants. Lots of families split without even realizing it. The attention that was once there just vanishes into thin air all because the father wants a new car, or the mother is an egomaniac, or the child is trying to buy some new toy all in a bid to cope with peer pressure. Yes, peer pressure is not only for teenagers; we fight peer pressure from when we were born until we die.  I’ll talk about peer pressure some other time, but let it be known that peer pressure exists at every level of human development.

Ambition is good; it is what drives us to push ourselves and do better as human beings whether as individuals or organizations or as a family. Climbing the ladder is very important for human satisfaction because of the perks that come with it: social status, privileges, respect, and most importantly these days- the money. It is astonishing- disgusting even to see what people do to climb up that ladder.  

People kill and people die for laurels, perceived glory, fame, wealth and stuff in their line but in the process lose something that the wealthiest man cannot buy- themselves. Your soul once lost will only take the grace of God to restore. After chasing all the money in the world and losing your own soul- family included, one comes to live with more regrets than the satisfaction that one set out with.

There is no end to money, and there will never be an apex to the ladder, so take a deep breath, take your time, and think about what really matters in your life. Do not live your old age poor and miserable because of the choices you made while you were young. And if you have made the mistakes already, it is not too late to change course and make amends. It may take time, but it is always better late than never.

#chasingAfterTheWind