Carlyle Marney was our family’s neighbor, pastor, and friend. One of his
off-hand remarks about being content became one of her family’s enduring
expressions: “Dr. Marney says, ‘We just need to get our wanter fixed.’”
It’s so easy to want more than we need and to become more focused on
getting than on giving. Soon, our desires dictate our choices.
When the apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in the city of
Philippi, he told them, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be
content . . . . I have learned both to be full and to
be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Phil. 4:11-12). Paul was saying,
in effect, “I’ve had my ‘wanter’ fixed.” It’s important to note that Paul was
not born with contentment. He learned it in the
difficult circumstances of everyday life.
During this season of the year, when shopping and buying often take
center stage in so many countries and cultures, why don’t we decide to focus on
being satisfied in our present circumstances? It may sound difficult, but Paul,
when talking about learning to be content said, “I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me” (v.13).
Contentment begins with having fewer wants. (RBC)
