Success VS. Contentment

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.  Psalms 19:14 HCSB

This last week has gone by pretty fast for me. So quickly in fact that I had to ask another Barnabas Man Author to sub-in for me last Monday. Looking back over the week brought some insight to the REAL reasons it flew by so fast.

I love my audio apps; between iBooks, Audible, and podcasts, I would estimate that I listen to over 25-30 hours of content each week. Almost exclusively on my commute time, without stealing from time with people, I combine my BIBLE audio, with books, and other media sources to get my information .

Although the content changes; my preferences is as follows. 1. Word of God / Sermons, 2. Business / Entrepreneurship 3. Military Stories / Real life testimony 3. Financial / Self – Investment styles.

On Saturday morning of this last weekend, I saw a post on Instagram that was so simple yet so true:

Simple right? I ‘m sure we have heard this and others like it before, yet this simple truth had me spinning about the reasons for our work. The difference is in our hearts, Success VS. Contentment. If and when we decide to jump into a new business venture, a mission, perhaps a new career or even a higher education. the following will always hold true:

Working for “provision” and “contentment” will last longer than working for “success”. I’m not even sure what the world deems as success any more. I know I have lost damn near half of my professional career searching for this “success” that so many brag of and speak about and yearn for!

For what? What are we after? A name? A title? A status? A house?

Look, I am no example of a man working for contentment and reward but I can say this: After the creation of the BarnabasMan.com site and 2 side companies beyond my full-time career, the reason for the work should be contentment. Reward is found in your investment in others. Either your employees, or your family, or your damn dog, live your life to GIVE and you will find the answers and the PROVISION you need to survive and EVEN THRIVE above and beyond the needs you may have this morning.

One of my favorite Podcasts includes the continues saying “get after it”. The Navy seals and other vets have used that phrase to get ready for the fire storms they may have to work in. to pony up and get mentally set for the upcoming battles. They have this thought process of using the plans and practices they have had to WIN and CONQUER. One of these vets says “LIFE is a WAR” !!

In a sin stained world, surrounded by things and items, and challenges, and temptations, you can bet life IS A WAR. Yet those working towards the will of God in their daily life will have the ammunition and battle plans to WIN daily. Seek CONTENTMENT not success. Work for things that are REWARDING not PRIDEFUL.