Satisfied With Life

Eu sou satisfeito. This is one of the first phrases I learned in Portuguese when I went to Brasil in 2005, it means "I'm satisfied". Around meals people were constantly asking if I wanted something more to eat or drink and I would say, eu sou satisfeito. From now until the end of my life this is what I would like to say about the way I've lived.

Similarly we read in Genesis 25:8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life.

At 19 years of age Jonathan Edwards resolved to live his life if such a way that, at the end of his life, he could echo Abraham's sentiments. In his own words Edwards wrote, "I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age." July 8, 1723.

In my life there are already things that I wish I would have done or handled differently. Some of them are spiritual and others not. Some are realistic and others not. And I know that most likely this will always be the case, but I would like to say that regarding things of major consequence that I acknowledged Him in all of my ways, and He made straight my paths, to His glory (Pr. 3:6).

A few months ago I read John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life and was greatly inspired to do just that. Why reach the twilight of my life and be unsatisfied when I could be attaining the desires of my heart, in the Psalm 37:4 sense, while I still have time?

Whether you are pleased, now or in the future, with the choices you've made, ultimately we can all say with Paul, by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace towards me did not prove vain (1 Cor. 15:10). This is a truly profound statement and worth a moment of meditation before continuing.
All of the material things we have, and don't have, are gifts by the grace of God (clothes, electronics, shelter, transportation, etc.). All of the physical capabilities we do, and do not, posses are gifts by the grace of God (our mobility, organs, limbs, senses, etc.). All of our mental faculties, both used and unused, are gifts by the grace of God (conscience, logic, reason, intellect, etc.). All of our relationships are gifts by the grace of God (friendships, fellowship, romance, etc.). Most of all, by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8).

For me, in order to best participate in furthering His kingdom, I needed to make a list and establish short and long term goals both for motivation and to remember to do what I feel is tangibly most important, so that at the end of my days I can die an old man, satisfied with life.