Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait to be old enough to be in high school or drive a car. And then you couldn’t wait for college or to get married. And then you couldn’t wait to have kids or get your first real job. And if we’re honest, this cycle never really ends! There are most likely things in your life right now that you are not content with and you can’t wait until….what? Is it possible to simply be okay with life right now? With who you are, where you are, and what you have?

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MESSAGE NOTES

For whatever reason, it never seems possible to just be OK. Like, right now. With what I have. Where I’m at in life.

 

“ I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. 2 So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

“Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2:10-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

Solomon just said that, even if you had the means, you’d not become happier by getting more.

 

 

 

We’re all chasing a “Carrot on a string”

  • Contentment is NOT our default setting. It’s a choice.

CONTENTMENT IS THE CHOICE TO BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT I HAVE AND WHERE I’M AT RIGHT NOW.

Contentment forces me to focus on what I DO have, rather than what I DON’T have.

 

“I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2:18-20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:8-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

“Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

CONTENTMENT IS FOUND, NOT WHEN WE GET MORE TO HAVE BUT, WHEN WE DO MORE WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

Some of you are incredibly miserable and you have EVERYTHING you need to be happy.

 

““If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:10-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Before you ask God for something different, can you ask Him to help you

  • Be Ok with what you have?
  • Manage what you have better?
  • Change your attitude?

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Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?

2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?

3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?

4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?