The Other Side of the Fence

Why is it so often said that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?  Could it be because there is so much truth to that old expression that it resonates within us and calls us to rise above the call of the world?  Is it possible that it causes us to realize our need for being content, even when we don't want to admit it?

God has given us such clear instruction of why we should be content and how we should be content, but it doesn't mean that it is easy to do.  Especially in this day and age, what we are instructed to let go of  is not easy - Hebrews 13:5 says that we are to, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"  God was telling us that IF we are to be content, we have to keep (present tense - always working at it) our lives free from the love of money, AND be (present tense again) content with what He has already blessed us with.  The reason is given to us, as well - God will always be with us and will never leave us, therefore He is always aware of what we will NEED and is willing to provide for us.

So, how do we apply keeping our lives free from the love of money and being content with what we already have?  One of the best definitions of contentment I have ever heard, gives the solution within the definition - it says this, "True contentment is the realization of what we already have."  This requires NOT trying to keep up with the Joneses!  This is not an easy accomplishment when life seems to require; shopping at stores that will always try to convince us of what we (don't) need, or looking over the fences of our neighbours and seeing their new toys, or just simply feeling frustrated with the old items we have owned forever when we know there is a better invention out there.  It may not be easy - but we must!  This instruction from God is not a suggestion, it is what He is telling us to do because He knows what is best for us - now and eternally.

We can be set free to enjoy all God has for us, when we appreciate what we already have in our hands.  If we can take our eyes off what others have (whether it be nicer cars, better behaved children, fancier clothes, better jobs or even a more appealing spouse), and put our eyes back onto our own homes and families, with a focus on gratitude for what we do have -an amazing thing has to happen to us.  The "things" that were calling to us will lose some of their shine, and our hearts will become more content with what we have. 

It is a spiritual principle with very practical applications - if we don't want to hear our children begging for the latest toys and newest gadgets, then we better be sure they are not listening to us hoping for a big screen TV or wishing for a better house.  If we don't want our marriage to fall apart, then we better not be comparing our spouse with someone else's.  If we don't want to spend a lifetime in debt, then we might have to make that car last longer than we might want.  It is all the same - we must learn to be content with what God has already provided for us and lead our kids in the way they should go.