You’ve probably heard the saying that comes from the iconic movie “City Slickers” …“Just one thing.” If you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve missed a classic. The hugely successful movie starred Billy Crystal, at the height of his career, and Jack Palance, late in his career. The saying, “just one thing”, has lived on since the movie was released in 1991 as an intended synopsis for finding meaning in life.
So, is it “just one thing” that provides meaning in life? Well, I suppose that depends on what that “one thing” is. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the movie and it is definitely worth the watch but this well intended movie doesn’t quite get the whole picture (no pun intended). And I’d add that, even though the movie is some thirty years old, people continue to look for meaning in the wrong places.
Let’s roll it back for a moment and summarize the movie a bit. Billy Crystal plays Mitch who is about to turn forty and is wondering what life is about. His work, his marriage, his family leave him discontent and asking “is there more?” In the midst of his mid-life crisis, Mitch and two buddies embark on an annual guys’ trip, which, this year, happens to be at a dude ranch. Enter Curly, Jack Palance’s character. Curly is the wizened old cowboy leading the “City Slickers” on a cattle drive. He’s as tough as nails, even picks his teeth with a Bowie knife. He is the toughest cowboy there ever was. Or, at least it wouldn’t be very smart to suggest otherwise.
While rounding up a stray calf, Mitch and Curly have a deep conversation. Curly says, “do you know what the secret of life is?” While holding one finger up, he says, “This.” “Your finger?”, Mitch asks. “One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don’t mean nothing (expletive replaced)!”, replies Curly. “But, what is the ‘one thing?’”, asks Mitch. What’s Curly’s insightful reply? “That’s what you have to find out.”
Finding our “one thing” in life is a big deal. As is always the case, we can find insights to life’s questions in the scripture. And, no surprise, the Bible has something to say about contentment and purpose. Paul writes to his protégé Timothy that, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim 6:6) We can’t overlook the connection here: “Contentment” comes “with” “godliness.”
Paul is specifically talking about “contentedness” in the context of material and financial concerns. He talks about “those who want to get rich.” (1 Tim 6:7) It would seem that discontent is closely related to the desire to have more. Chasing material success, in itself, can get us into a lot of trouble. And, while Paul is talking specifically about money here, the implication seems appropriate that this desire for more can be a danger in every area. More money. More success. More popularity. More recognition. More than the Joneses. More. More. More. Most of us feel the draw to “more”, but it just isn’t the way to contentment. Wanting more just leads to wanting more. The opposite of contentment.
In the movie, Mitch struggled with contentment, most of us probably do, and, just maybe, that is because we overlook the role that godliness plays in contentment. The word translated as “godliness” in 1 Timothy is sometimes translated as “piety.” We tend to think of piety as simply being religious or devout. But, being religious or devout, in itself, is pointless. Our devotion must have an object. The object, for the believer, is God. Simply, godliness is when we are devoted to living in a way that is pleasing to God. All of our life is centered on the one true God. He is our “one thing.” When our lives are centered on God, contentment follows.
Jesus puts it this way, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mat 6:33) There is no promise here of success or abundance. At least not in the way we often think of success and abundance. Unfortunately, what we often seek is excess. Much more than we need. What God promises is that our needs will be met presently and, ultimately, in eternity. We are secure in His care. That should lead us to contentment.
In the movie, Mitch comes to the conclusion that, for him at least, his “one thing” is loving his family and doing his job well. Those are good things, right? Of course, they are. But, as great as these things are, by themselves, even they can be meaningless. The point that Mitch misses, and no surprise because it is a secular movie after all, is that God wants us to love Him by loving our families. When we do even the most basic things out of reference to God, they become meaningful. Of course, what applies to the basic everyday stuff applies to everything else. Every decision we make. Every action we take.
It’s obvious that we don’t live in perfect submission and devotion to God every day, every hour, or every minute. We stumble. That’s why God stands ready to forgive and purify us when we fail. (see 1 Jon 1:9) But, if our life is rightly ordered with God at the center, contentment is a byproduct. He is the “one thing” we seek. Without Him we can never find true contentment.
Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Image by Scripture-Images
Correct, The Bible tells us plainly (Prov. 27:20), “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” There is no true satisfaction short of spiritual perfection, as the Psalmist understood when he sang (Ps. 17:15), “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Yet we may find contentment along the way in each day’s effort to put to full use what we understand of God.
Such contentment is the kingdom of heaven, which Jesus said is within us. Joseph had almost nothing , yet he had everything because the Lord was with him. The good things we have or are working hard to get don’t make us successful. It’s the presence of God in your life that makes you a success.
Your Friend -His servant,
Isaac Otieno