The title of this post combined with today’s date (January 17) should be a pretty good indication that my resolution has nothing to do with procrastination. I really have never made serious New Year’s Resolutions, unless you consider “never turn down free [pizza, chocolate, etc.]” to be serious. New Year’s resolutions are virtually always broken, usually very early in the year, and most honest people will have to admit that their resolutions were made with the expectation that they would fall by the wayside before the year’s end. That doesn’t mean that it is foolish to make resolutions, but that is why I have never been in the habit of making them.

My resolution is to be content.

It isn’t that I am generally discontent—there are many people who are much more ungrateful and discontent than I am—but that I know I am not perfectly satisfied at all times with the gifts God has given me. It is also not that contentment should be difficult for me so that I should need to make any extra effort to be content. I am not persecuted or impoverished. I do not suffer unbearably. While I am in no way wealthy by American standards, I live in luxury that a large part of the world’s population can only dream of. I have no reason to be discontent.

Still, it sometimes is not enough. If only I had that, I would be happier. If this was better, I would be more comfortable. I have enough, but more always looks better. I may not be a whining complainer, but I certainly do not measure up to Scripture’s definition of contentment:

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11)

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)

If the apostle Paul could be content, why can’t I?

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. (2 Corinthians 11:23-30)

God help me to be content.