Will B. “Content”

Recently I was able to start attending men’s Bible Study again. The topic for the group was about being content or happy no matter the situation.

Although the meaning behind the lesson may have been spiritual, this lesson pertained even more so to how corporate America and retail companies have trained many Americans throughout the past 30 years to always want more.

I am no different from anyone else, guilty of always wanting more. However, I have been working to break myself of this bad habit during the last few years. Do we really need a new phone every couple of years? Do we need a new car every four or five years? The list is a long one. I usually replace my laptop every two years and camera about every four years. Don’t get me started on sneakers! I probably have 40 or 50 pairs of shoes, close to 100 T-shirts, and I collect movies with a passion. Do I need these things? I do not. Do I want these things? I do. But why do we desire these things?

It seems we are never satisfied with what we have. For example, some countries have difficulty getting water or must walk miles to get their water. A trip to Wally World and you will most likely see 10 different choices for water. The same goes for almost everything you can buy in a store.

I believe we have been brainwashed to some extent as a society to always want the next trend or replace items that are in perfect working order but may just not have the new shiny look they once had. I am guilty. Last year, I bought a new camera, basically the same camera I use, just the updated model. Sure, it is perdy and has a few extra Do Hickies and Thingy Mcbobs. However, my older camera was still in excellent working order. I did justify the purchase by calling my old camera my backup camera. After all, what kind of photographer would I be if I didn’t have a backup camera?

The same could be said spiritually, though as well. As a Christian, I should be content no matter the position I find myself in life. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Those last words speak volumes. I will never leave you or forsake you! What a powerful and soothing scripture. I don’t know about you, but I take great comfort in knowing God has my back in all things. This alone should make me content.

Humans seem complicated, but it really is the simple things in life that make us humans the happiest. Outside of singing praisees in church, one of the simplest things is one of my very favorite things in life. A rainy day, temperature somewhere in the 70s, windows open, gentle breeze blowing through the house, and a record playing on my stereo. What is a simple thing that gives you the most joy in life?

This is Will B. quoting Bob Seager “Just take those old records off the shelf, I’ll sit and listen to ’em by myself. Today’s music ain’t got the same soul. I like that oldtime rock ‘n’ roll.”