Editor’s note – We’re running this reflection because contentment is a battle nearly every believer fights quietly, whether the temptation is a bigger paycheck, a better body, or simply an easier week. The author’s honesty about a skipped workout and stalled motivation makes room for the real point: satisfaction was never meant to wait on our circumstances catching up to us.
The Illusion of Future Happiness
Happy is happening right now. And you may not even be aware of it.
It’s not “When this happens, then I’ll be happy.” That mentality never satisfies or produces true happiness. Instead, I find contentment in the truths of Ephesians, right here and right now. In this moment with you, Jesus, I am truly happiest, regardless of what we are doing or where we are.
Mick Jagger famously sang, “I can’t get no satisfaction.” Those lyrics remain as relevant today as they were upon their release on June 4, 1965. While the distractions have changed – perhaps vaping has replaced cigarettes and social media ads have overtaken TV commercials – the core human struggle for fulfillment remains the same. I suspect Mr. Jagger hadn’t yet found the source of lasting satisfaction that I cherish, much like the woman at the well. Much like her, my response to this living water is a desire to share everything Jesus does within our intimate, eternal relationship.
It’s not when I get that next ideal car, retire from my career, or own my own swimming pool – so I can finally be done with driving to the gym – then I’ll be satisfied. No, that’s missing the point entirely. The point is I will choose to be happy right here, right now, on this walk with you, Jesus, regardless of my present circumstances.
Editor’s note – The comparison to the woman at the well is fitting. Jesus met her mid-errand and offered water that would never leave her thirsty again (John 4:13-14).
Choose Happy
Modern Christians often distinguish between being happy and experiencing joy, claiming the former is fleeting while the latter is eternal. I, too, held this view until I heard a fantastic message by musician Tauren Wells titled “Joy Bomb.” It challenged me to see that happiness and joy are more intertwined than we usually admit.
The Reality of Daily Motivation
Lately, the struggle to take action has felt heavy. My motivation to head to the gym for a swim workout, for instance, has been non-existent for quite some time. I recognize that motivation naturally ebbs and flows through different seasons of life; it is a normal experience and not necessarily cause for alarm. Yet, even though I know exercise is like attending church – I may not feel like going, but I am almost always grateful I did – the internal struggle persists.
Simplifying My Approach to Wellness
I’ve always maintained that the best, most consistent way for me personally to exercise is to choose the simplest activity that only requires walking out the door (or can be done at home), without having to purchase a bunch of expensive equipment or drive to a special location.
But since we do not own a swimming pool, the only way for me to swim – one of my favorite forms of exercise – is to drive to the local gym or the beach. Even as I type these words, I am fully cognizant that these are classic first-world problems.
Editor’s note – Paul made a similar claim from a prison cell: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). Contentment there is learned, not given.
Conclusion: Embracing the Now
The search for satisfaction ends when we stop looking toward the horizon and start looking at the One walking beside us. True joy isn’t found in the acquisition of a pool or the arrival of retirement; it is found in the quiet, intimate moments of the present. By choosing to drink from the “living water” Jesus offers every day, we find a contentment that transcends our circumstances and fills our lives with lasting peace, right here and right now.
Reflection Prompts
- In what area of my life am I currently waiting for ‘future happiness’ instead of finding joy right now?
- How can I shift my focus from ‘what I lack’ to the ‘living water’ Jesus offers in my daily routine?
- What is one simple way I can practice gratitude or connection with Jesus during a mundane task today?
A Word from the Editor
Contentment is a posture Scripture teaches us to learn, one circumstance at a time. Jesus told the woman at the well that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again (John 4:14) – not someday, but now.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org
Editor Comment: You point straight at the truth Paul learned in a prison cell, that contentment is not a feeling we stumble into but a settled trust in God that circumstances cannot touch.
This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.