He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 5:10

The phrase begins with the words, “If only …”  After those words almost anything can fill the space.  In another place, Solomon states, “There are three things that are never satisfied, Four never say, “Enough!”: The grave, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water — and the fire never says, ‘Enough!’” (Proverbs 30:15-16).  If we can find some honest reflection in us, we will probably find that our “if only” thoughts will also never really be enough.  It’s something like the old commercial line, “There’s always room for Jello”.

The romantic song by Diamond Rio may have captured the concept as well as any. 

One more day, one more time
One more sunset, maybe I’d be satisfied
But then again, I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you
One more day.

Yes, I know that there are moments in time in which we feel we are fully satisfied.  As the Hollies sang, “If I could make a wish I think I’d pass.  Can’t think of anythin’ I need.”  The thing about such satisfactions is that the feeling generally fades with the passing of time.  We might relate it to Thanksgiving Dinner.  With the abundance on the table, there is a tendency to eat until a packed stomach sends messages of being satisfied, and then some.  The thought might enter our minds that we may never want to eat again.  Still, a few hours later, when the leftovers are presented, we find that we can eat and do desire more of the feast.

So it is in life that we seem to always find within us that sense of desire for more. Before we begin to kick ourselves for our lack of satisfaction and fulfillment, there is something we ought to know.  We were designed to pursue the next goal and the higher ground.  Even the wealthy king, Solomon, reminds us that God has placed the unending search of eternity deeply within our basic drive of life.  In our temporary world, the very nature and life of eternity remains just beyond our grasp.  It is a driving force of a progressing life.  In other words, that is the way we were made.  A part of the concept of being made in the image of God is that we live in a pursuit.  From the design of our human inception, we were given that drive to have dominion over the world around us.  In other words, life is about a pursuit of what has not yet been obtained.

Contentment and satisfaction are not in contrast to a constant drive to achieve more.  There is a silly story about a boy who finished third grade and then announced that he was not going to return to school.  His mother tried to reason with him.  She asked her son what kind of job he thought he could get with only a third-grade education.  He paused for a moment then replied, “I could probably teach second graders.”  Again, the need and hunger for progress, achievement, and accomplishment are not in contrast or even conflict with a humble and contented spirit.

So, here is the secret that is not really a secret.  There is a difference when there is an attitude of gratitude.  Knowing how fortunate we are to have what we have, gives our blessings more value in putting them to use.  Jesus also noted the value of having an ongoing “hunger” for what we do not yet have.  He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

The old advertising campaign claimed the available room for their product, even when we might otherwise consider ourselves to be full.  Hoping not to come across as being trite, there is a good message.  The ongoing desire for good or better things can be one of the better driving forces of life.  Seeking to find the better things, to be filled with the better things, and to use the better things for good, is worthy. 

So, here’s to hoping that our lives are filled with greatly appreciative contentment from the blessings that push us forward.  Then we can clearly say that “Never Enough” is a really good thing.

Russell L. Dyer — 3/19/2024