by Jeremy Paschall
Go back to Christian Character
Mr. Jones was a wealthy financier back during the good old days, when trains were flourishing and coaches were the latest in technological luxury. He often crossed the continent by Pullman car — first-class accommodations. He was well-known and well-served, accustomed to every convenience, particularly when dining. Imagine his exasperation, then, when it turned out that the chef did not have his favorite ice cream available.
“No tutti-frutti?!?” he shouted. “I always have tutti-frutti ice cream for dessert!”
“I'm sorry, sir,” said the waiter, soothingly. “We have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, black walnut, cherry, mocha almond…”
“I want tutti-frutti!” yelled Jones, banging the table and turning red in the face. “I have always had tutti-frutti, and I won't have anything else!”
For miles he muttered, scowled, growled, and snarled at everyone, so that every train employee on board had visions of angry reprisals. Finally, the train stopped at a station; a word to the conductor kept it there while the crew scoured the little town for tutti-frutti ice cream.
A whole pint of the dessert was found and all of it was presented to Mr. Jones, with huge gobs of cherry sauce on it, together with a sliced banana and a swirl of whipped cream on top.
“Here is your ice cream, Mr. Jones, exactly as you like it,” said the terrified waiter.
Jones looked at it with a scowl, then with a sudden swipe of his arm hurled it to the floor, shouting, “I'd rather have my grievance!”
We all know people like that. They are entirely discontent with just about everything, yet they seem perfectly content to stay that way. In fact, maybe you’re in that same boat yourself...
Does your job fail to bring you real satisfaction, even though you are making a comfortable living? Do your possessions not give you lasting pleasure, even though you have a nice house, two new cars, a boat, and a four-wheeler? The only source of real fulfillment is within your reach.
King Solomon was once in the same situation. Despite being king of Israel, having everything and everyone at his disposal, he found it all to be vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2"). The book of Ecclesiastes records his efforts to find lasting satisfaction. He sought fulfillment in possessions and knowledge but found them worthless. Solomon looked for joy in an abundance of wives but still felt something lacking in his life. He too had within his reach the only source of real fulfillment.
What is it? What is this magical solution to this age-old problem? Solomon, by the end of his life, came to understand it:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
It is that simple. If you want real satisfaction and fulfillment in your life, you will not find it in work, possessions, or people. You will only find true contentment when you surrender your will to God’s will and obey His Word.
Now here is the challenge. Will you accept this truth, obey the will of God, and find true contentment? Or will you continue to reject Him, ignore His Word, and remain content to be discontent? The choice is yours. There is happiness to be found. May God bless you with the courage to choose the life of genuine satisfaction.