Summer is the north country season for life. It is the time for blossoms and color. A prairie in summer is a miraculous place. Combined with the early morning warmth of the sun and hundreds, even thousands of blossoms on rare prairie plants there is contentment.

A summer prairie is a serene place. Its silence interrupted only by the brush of the continual prairie wind and the buzz of pollinating insects; the worries of the day fall away. The vast quiet of a prairie washes away the nagging worries we bring with us. There is peace, quiet, and the comforting knowledge that we are surrounded by life lived to the fullest.

A summer prairie is a satisfying place to escape for an hour, or a day. It is a place to watch the sunrise or set, or if time allows-both. The insects, plants, birds and animals of a prairie occupy every moment of sunlight; yet the pace is not frantic. Prairie life is directed by the ponderous, steady march of the sun from horizon to horizon.

When a person enters a prairie, delight is not distant. Slow, observant wandering produces pleasure in the color and shape of the blossoms of prairie plants. Pleasure is found in the rustle of the wind through stems, leaves and blossoms. These soothe the anxious heart. The industry of a solitary bumble bee provides fulfillment and knowledge that nature works. Pollination is occuring, seeds will follow, the cycle of life is uninterrupted.

What might any individual inclined to visit a summer prairie discover? All of the above. But there is another discovery to be made from a visit to a summer prairie. A walk on a summer prairie brings contentment. There is a satisfaction, there will come a realization. The human response? “I’m glad I came.”

Contentment cannot be packaged and sold like apples in a grocery.

Our nation is experiencing a contentment famine. The wealthiest, most prosperous nation on earth is in the midst of a contentment drought. Many are dissatisfied. There is a great deal of complaining. Voices shout, unhappiness is prevalent. There is much more, but the point is: Many Americans are discontented. A lack of contentment has produced dissatisfaction in many places.

Where does contentment come from? If it is lacking in so many people what is the cause?

For our answer, walk back to prairie with me. We found contentment in a prairie. Serenity, ease, fulfillment and satisfaction join happiness there. But insects do not produce contentment. It is built into them. It may seem absurd, but there has never been a bee rioting to become something else. Plants do not produce contentment either, nor do birds or prairie animals. Not one of them-ever has rampaged in discontent. Contentment is found on a prairie, but none of the life forms there produce it. Contentment exists…but many have forgotten its source.

Finding contentment is difficult for many. Contentment comes from God. It is His gift to all humans. But-We have forgotten God. We seek contentment in places where it can never be found: possessions, riches, fame, health-things found on earth. No earthly thing will ever provide even one person with lasting contentment.

Walk back to the prairie one more time. Contentment is there because God has put it there. Yet, some of you who read Creator Words live in other parts of the world. You may not have a prairie nearby. So, search for the nature near you. In the quiet nature places of the earth humans will find contentment. The wonder and joy we find in nature comes largely from contentment. And only God can put it there-because contentment is God’s gift to people. Contentment is God’s invention.

Want contentment? It starts with God. God already knows your heart. He knows about your discontent. Only God can fix it. We begin our journey to contentment by first establishing a relationship with God. Ask Him to show you Jesus. Talk with God about your life-call it prayer if you want. As you begin to relate to God, you will find contentment. The Apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament. Paul knew about contentment. He wrote this brief sentence about it.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

Seek God first…contentment will follow. There will be other blessings you never anticipated.

Contentment-Is Missing

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

218-671-0488