May 27, 2021 – Click here to listen
Over the past few years, I’ve come to the conclusion that our society lives in a constant state of discontentment. We’re not happy with our leaders, all our family members, our income, or the things that we have. Our house is too small, our TV is too and is an older model, and our car isn’t as sleek as our neighbors. So what’s a person to do in order to find contentment in such a restless world, and why can’t we seem to find the contentment that we’re looking for?
My oldest son has been visiting from Oregon and we have just finished fishing for five consecutive days. It has been some of the best fishing I’ve experienced since moving back to the Keys with big fish nearly everywhere we looked.
That’s the good part. The bad part was that the seas were angry and rough and four to ten foot waves far offshore tossed us about soaking us with salt water and making it near impossible to walk. My hands are cut up from hooks and cleaning fish and when the salt hits them, it stings like a fire ant bite. And yes, we call that fun. So a couple of days ago my son catches the biggest dolphin of his life.
And understandingly he was grinning like a jackass eating briars right up until we hooked up an estimated 50 pounder. He fought that trophy fish all of the way to the boat and right when he got to the side of the boat, he took off again violently shook his head side to side and jumped and got off. Suddenly all of the elation of catching his smaller trophy bull disappeared and he uttered an oath and told me he uttered many more in his mind for quite some time. He then sulked for some time.
So I’m thinking if that were me, I would have done the exact same thing. Catching a trophy fifty pound bull dolphin is just not that easy to do and in fact as little time as he gets to fish, he may never do it again.
BUT on this trip, he did catch and land more fish than he’s caught in his entire life including the largest Mahi he’s ever landed.
I know a guy who is exceedingly wealthy and he made his money on the stock market. I asked him one time how much money he wanted to make, after all he couldn’t spend what he’d already made in two lifetimes. He looked at me and nonchalantly said, “More”.
I thought at the time that greed knows no bounds, but I suppose he is not much different than most people. We just are not content and always are looking for more. The truth is it just cannot be found in the things of this world.
The Bible states that we should be content and thankful in everything. After my son cooled off a little his smile returned and he once again was reveling in the great time we had over the past week. His sour mood was gone and he was happy as a lark again – Attaboy!
So below was the biggest Mahi for the week. My son and I were joined by some friends from Michigan for this trip and one of them landed this large dolphin. Thank You Lord! We love You and praise your Holy name for our bountiful blessings. Please help us to be content with whatever comes our way.
The only place that we can really find true fulfillment and contentment is in Christ. True contentment isn’t something that we find in things, people or circumstances, it can only be discovered in our convictions. Contentment is always a step away except with Christ. Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about it:
Philippians 4:11
“I have learned, in whatever circumstances I am, to be content . . .”