"'It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. [It's like] trying to catch the wind.' Ecclesiastes 6:9
Enjoying what you currently have is better than letting your heart wander. You should make use of what is in front of you rather than wandering around full of desires. This is what the dog in Aesop's writings did when he chased after the reflection in the water and lost the meat he had in his mouth. You should use what God has placed before you and be satisfied with it. You shouldn't try to satisfy your desires because they will never be satisfied. Instead, you should use whatever God has placed in front of you. All of it is very good. (Genesis 1:31)"
Luther goes on to challenge us to think about one who sees everything in front of him as nothing but a nuisance. He doesn't use or enjoy these gifts. Instead he lets his heart roam in discontent, searching for something different. Maybe a different house, a different spouse, a different job, a different car. More money, more possessions, more recognition. And this does nothing but lead us to more despair and discontent. It is, as quoted from Ecclessiastes, pointless. It's like trying to catch the wind. It cannot be done no matter how hard we work at it, how long we try or what methods we use. We will never be able to satisfy ourselves.
God has given us just what is needed for our seasons of life. And, I believe, that when we respect that fact and give thanks for His goodness, He will grace us with even more goodness.
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