Isaac Newton’s apple may not have been the best fruit on the tree but it was the one that fell on his head.

Certainly, one of the secrets to consistently live a fulfilled life is to be content in what you have. I admit, this is not always easy. Perhaps it is not even close to being normal. At least in the world I live in, all around me, I’m being pushed, quite easily I admit, to gather more things–because that’s the way to be happy. While this approach will give temporary happiness, there is always the quest for more.

On the day my wife and I got married, the song we selected to play is named “For My Wedding” and it has stuck with me all these years. It was written by Larry John McNally and sung by Don Henley (definitely one of my favorites) but anyway… tucked away inside the beautiful lyrics are the following lines:

For my wedding, I don’t want violins
Or sentimental songs about thick and thin
I want a moment of silence and a moment of prayer
For the love we’ll need to make it in the world out there

To want what I have
To take what I’m given, with grace
For this I pray
On my wedding day
.

To be content is a purposeful effort that takes prayer and practice. It will not happen overnight. And, you have to want it. It cannot be some whim that you have one day and change the next. You have to earnestly want to get off the “rat race” and move down to a simpler lifestyle “in your mind”… for that is where contentment lives.

As in all things, ask God for release from the burning desire to accumulate things. He will deliver you from this bondage.

By the way, today’s Tiny Words Bible verse was written by the Apostle Paul–while he was in prison… not exactly the kind of circumstance that would normally cause you to rejoice and be glad.


Philippians 4 : 10 – 13

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.