During our Camino de Santiago journeys I take note of the shoes people wear. What types of footwear do pilgrims choose for long walks day after day? I see hiking boots, lots of trail runners, sandals, and one time a young man in shower slides. I’m happy with my shoe choice, but I’ll admit I’m always looking for the next best option.

Such goes the way of contentment in my life. Paul wrote about contentment to Timothy, his young protégé: Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

In this constantly selling world contentment remains a challenge. Daily I see ads for something I didn’t know I need, but now I want. Paul’s list for a contented spirit consisted of food and clothes. I would add shelter to that list, but Paul traveled hard and slept where he arrived. I might also add coffee and a good book. You see the challenge—with just a little bit more I’ll finally be contented.

Our entertainment-advertising complex never rests. A key to contentment for me is turning away from all that, and finding a few moments to consider what the Lord has given me (which is a great deal). Gratitude leads to contentment, and contentment feeds my gratitude. It’s a virtuous cycle—but a hard one to access.

With feelings of gratitude and trust, I can better answer the question, Do I really need that shiny object? I might purchase a double-decker air fryer or a new car, but even so my satisfaction remains in God, not the objects provided for me.

I hope to grow in contentment this coming year, which remains a challenge. But looking back at Paul’s list, a high-end pair of trail runners with a gore-tex outer and a rock plate fit into the clothing category, do they not? I’ll order those, and then I’ll be contented…

I Timothy 6 in Through the Bible in 2024