Contentment vs. Complacency
The Bulletin, 4/23/25
Sometimes the difference between good things and bad things is only in shades and degrees, which makes it hard to find the dividing line between being in the right and being dangerously wrong.
One issue that walks this fine line is the matter of contentment vs. complacency.
We are to rest in Christ (Matthew 11:28-29, Romans 10:4), yet we are to continually grow (2 Peter 3:8) and aim to “excel still more” when we are doing well (1 Thessalonians 4:10).
Contentment is good because it means being happy with where we are and what we have. This keeps us from beating ourselves up and living as though we’re always on the run, with hell right on our heels.
On the other hand, misplaced contentment can easily become complacency if we lose motivation to keep pushing forward. Some Christians are worn down with the feeling that they’ll never be good enough, struggling to find contentment in Christ. Others may have put it in cruise control years ago, satisfied to play out their days without ever growing or examining their ways.
How do we strike this balance?
The key is to view the Christian life as a grand adventure, like exploring a place full of incredible beauty. Everything you’ve found thus far has been great, and you’re glad to have seen it. Instead of thinking, “I’ve seen enough amazing things and had my mind blown a sufficient amount of times, I think I’ll stop right here,” the natural response would be to ask “How much else is there to see? Just how great can this journey be?”
There is always more knowledge to acquire, more Christ-likeness to develop, more of God to enjoy. Instead of getting baptized and complacently riding a pew the rest of our days, we should hunger for more of His presence every day.
And, instead of criticizing ourselves for all the growing we’ve yet to do, we should give thanks for how far we’ve come and look forward with joy to all that remains in front of us.