When the Best is not Enough

I spent a good while last night deep in my mind. The occupant was a certain man in the Bible whose fame is greater than all the men who have ever walked on planet earth. Apparently, the Lord opened all the windows of the heavenly floodgates of wisdom to this man. As if that was not enough, a large bank of riches, gold and glory was given to him. Not to mention all the delicious spices, all the choicest clothing, the strongest horses, the most hardworking servants and even the best trained army with its most advanced equipment. To say that he was living the dream is an understatement. The man had a premium package of the earth's pleasures. Yet, how sad, actually how unfortunate that his deathbed confession was that all this was “vanity – a grasping of the wind” (Eccl 2:18-26). It means there was something within himself that was still not satisfied with life. He always yearned for more. It’s like I can imagine him now; on top of his gold palace, having lost sleep long before sunrise. Staring right below the plains of his kingdom, thinking to himself, “If only I could have another ton of gold, if only my chariots had bigger wheels, if only I could marry one more wife; more beautiful this time…”

Tell you what, I could hardly restrain myself from judging King Solomon. I mean, you were the most blessed man on earth, yet you couldn't appreciate. What more do you want from God!? That was before I had reviewed my own life and got embarrassed to discover that I was just like this king – his very twin brother! In fact, that is the big problem with the human heart, is it not?

Let's all try to ignore the negatives about our lives a bit and try to reflect on the good things that have taken us thus far. A can give a list of your life's positives: health, food, clothing, family, friends, education, etc. The list is endless. Even something as trivial as a breath of morning fresh air is to be appreciated. Yet in all these goodies, there is still something that craves for more. Somehow, there is always that dim appearance on everything that you currently have. In some way, your heart tells you that there is something better somewhere – something more shiny. The grass is always greener in your neighbour's yard.

Think about it this way: right now, there is someone, somewhere, who has the best job. Another has the best car, best wife, best husband, best weather conditions, best country, best parents, best education. Yet the heart will still whisper, “There is something better, just keep exploring.” No wonder the latter part of our lives is often marked by regrets and sorrow for all the opportunities we have missed if only we had made use of the good things that were at our fingertips. “If only I had cared for that person while she was still my wife. If only I had invested that jackpot. If only I had spent more time with my children, if only I did this and that…”

Fellow comrades: the chief end of this article is to stir our hearts towards being thankful for that which we currently have, and to make good use of it while it lasts. To look at all the people, including family, children and spouses, not as burdens to be tolerated, but as blessed souls that the Lord has blessed us with.

Admittedly, we all have a fair share of life's thistles and thorns, yet in that same bag, there are good things to cherish and enjoy. I implore you today, my good Christian, to behold the brighter end of life. To remember that the good Lord has you on this earth for a good cause, beginning with a heart that continually offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving, the fruit of the Christian lip (Heb 13:15).

Understandably, we all have dreams, aspirations and desires. It’s fine, yes, to dream of being an astronaut. However, I believe our Lord calls us to look at our desires and wants through the lens of contentment. To say to yourself, “I wish I was this, and I hope to have that, but even if I don’t get it, that is okay also. Christ has given me all I need for life and godliness and I shall rejoice in it” (2 Pet 1:13). It takes maturity to come to terms with the reality that the 'best' is not located somewhere on the other side of the fence, but you are right on top of it. You just have to rediscover it in your life and make good use of it. Cheerio.

Sinothi Ncube

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