Crushing Discontentmentናሙና

Today, we’ll look at the fifth cause of discontentment: we are confused about our true purpose

Many of us believe that our primary goal in life is to be content or happy.

Consequently, our entire life becomes a search for happiness. We constantly try to find our happiness in people, in stuff, in circumstances, and in the next best thing or experience.

We have bought into the idea that Jesus alone is not enough. We don’t reject Jesus. But we also don’t believe that Jesus is sufficient.

We think we need Jesus + our careers to be content.

We think we need Jesus + our social media following to be content.

We think we need Jesus + our significant other to be content.

While those things are not “bad” or “evil”—they actually may be good things, but when we, in Tim Keller’s words, take a good thing and make it the ultimate thing, then that is a formula for discontentment.

So, how do we fight this type of discontent? Here's the fifth C to crush discontentment.

We can learn to comprehend why we were created.

Here’s something that we as believers in Christ need to grasp: we were not created simply to be happy or satisfied.

God created us to be deeply satisfied in Him. And that is the key.

The Westminster Catechism poses the question, “What is the chief end of man?” Or, what is the purpose for which we are created?

And the answer provided is this: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

When we find our contentment, our rest, and our satisfaction in Christ alone, only then are we able to live out our purpose of glorifying Him.

We are called to be satisfied in Jesus. That is our purpose. And that is how we find contentment.

And friends, that can happen only when we behold the Cross.

When we look to the Cross, how can we doubt that His love for us is enough?

How can we not find fulfillment in a God who emptied Himself so we can be full?

We've talked about how to crush discontentment through 5 Cs. But the central C in all of this is Christ. He alone can satisfy our heart's deepest longings and give us rest in all our circumstances.

Reflection: Have I made life about pursuing my happiness or about pursuing Jesus?

Lean In: Father, I understand that I have been created by You for You. Help me not make life about myself. Father, rid me of myself. I belong to you. I find my rest, my joy, and my contentment in Jesus. Amen