Fractions were never my thing. I mean, I understood the concept, and can understand basic fraction math, but when it comes to the rules with how to manage them… Well, let’s just say I’m a hard-numbers kind of guy. So, when I consider my life in the way of fractions, I see that I’m in my third thirds.
This morning I was considering my “lot in life” and how there was still much I want to accomplish, but it is the last third of my life. Which, if you understand fractions, it’s better than saying the last 10th or 5th!
If I live to be 99, then I’m existing in the last third of my life. This is the “retiring” third when your hard work and investments prepare you to sit back and enjoy the ease.
The first third ended around 33 years of age. Supposedly, this is about the age Christ died on the cross… Whew! Missed that ending! The next third was when I hit “full retirement age”, which, according to Social Security that’s 66 and 2 months. Less than 10 months to go!
For the life of me, I cannot imagine sitting around for the next third with nothing on my plate to accomplish!
That’s not who I am. There is still much I want to accomplish, and there seem to be plenty of years left for me to do just that!
What Does It Mean to be Contented?
Paul says to be “content” in what ever state you find yourself in (Philippians 4:11), but then he tells Timothy to be content simply with food and raiment (1 Timothy 6:8). Then, the writer of Hebrews (some think it is from Paul, but that’s another thought for another day) tells us to be content with what we have, because He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)
What, then, does it mean to be “content”?
One writer defines it as a happy and satisfied condition, to which I think is not a complete thought. I can be happy. Satisfied. Yet, wanting more does not mean I’m unhappy, or dissatisfied. A sales person who has broken records finds there are still more records to break. So, each satisfactorily reached goal is simply a landing place for the next step. If that is true, then when do you reach the final step? Last breath?
Looking backwards I find myself discontented with the accolades and rewards of achievement as some would point to. I have accomplished much, but there was much left on the table.
Maybe contentment is simply a “state of mind”. The past is a “done deal”. Look toward the future and you comprehend it is of uncertain length. Hence, the only thing I can control is how I feel about where I am today!
Is everything I hoped to have accomplished satisfactorily achieved? If not, then that’s what I handle tomorrow. But as for today. I’m content that I’ve tried my best!
Here’s My Thought Today
When Jesus taught in parables it was, by style, a popularly understood story of the day with a hidden spiritual meaning. Most of us want to give “the rest of the story” with every breath we speak, but Jesus was content to let the parable stand on its own two feet and allow the hearer time to absorb and comprehend.
His contentment was to not explain every detail, but give the broad strokes that will point the listener down a pathway of discovery.
Contentment, at least for me, has always been hoping I’ve shared everything that needed to be shared, and have given every piece of knowledge that makes others fully equipped.
Maybe I’ve wished for too much knowledge dispersal. The one thing from parables I find is that I understand it so much better when I dig it out for myself. That comes on the day that I need the truth of them. Now. Dig it out. Learn the lesson. Apply to situation. Step back and observe the results. Contentment!
I pray and hope that you hear my words. You don’t need to know everything right now. Much comes as we apply ourselves to life equipped to dig it out for ourselves.
My flight instructor gave me instructions, “Plan the flight. Fly the plan.” And then, he filled in all the lessons I should need to accomplish that simple statement.
Some lessons are better learned in the experience of the moment than sitting in a classroom listening.
Even better? Some lessons are learned in the moment when you are handling a crisis by yourself. Equipped, for sure, but learning in the moment. That’s great contentment!
Maybe contentment is simply a “state of mind”. The past is a “done deal”. Look toward the future and you comprehend it is of uncertain length. Hence, the only thing I can control is how I feel about where I am today! Share on X