Advancement vs. Contentment

Today I'm studying the word "content."  Sometimes my husband thinks I'm too content.  I'm pretty much happy on any budget.  I rarely want to buy new clothes--or new make-up--or fancy products of any kind (even if money isn't an issue).  I'm fine if everything isn't "just how I imagined it."  I'm even okay eating pizza for Thanksgiving dinner.

My husband is a very content person, too, but he also has this incredible drive to make life better--not just for us, but for everyone.  

My question for today is, "Are advancement and contentment opposites?"  After I've done some thinking and reading, I don't think they are.  In Alma 29:3-7, there are some very powerful principles. 

Alma is wishing that he were an angel, so he could "go forth and speak with the trump of God."  Then he says, "I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."  I can only imagine he's talking about his mortal body, his role on earth, and his specific mission in life.  I'm sure there are many more layers to that statement, though (I'd love to study those more).

That got me thinking, "What has the Lord allotted to ME?"  I have a healthy body.  I have a family.  I have the knowledge of the gospel.  I have certain talents and skills that are being developed.  I have potential to serve in many capacities. 

But being content with the fact that I wasn't given other blessings or attributes (that I would like to have) doesn't mean that I can't keep striving for more.

Verse 4 says, "I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life. "  He lets us choose what we really want to do/be in life.  I love that.

It also says, "I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction."  Okay, this one takes a little more dissecting to figure out.  The best I can see is that we have agency to choose how we spend our time, and as we "advance," we choose salvation or destruction.  We can't have a will that's contrary to God, make choices based on that misguided will, and then expect salvation.  Our desires lead to the results we're going to achieve.

Verse 5 teaches that good and evil come before all of us.  If we make choices--with our eyes wide open--we, in essence, choose our rewards.  Joy or remorse. 

I want to be content with all that I have.  I don't want to waste one minute thinking, "If only I had more ___________."  I also want to bring my will in harmony with the Lord's.  I want to desire His glory, and I want to serve His children with everything I have.  And as I do that, I am choosing Him--which is equal to joy, salvation, and goodness. 

So how do I do this?  Each day, I ask Him how I can better serve Him.  I behave as a disciple of Christ needs to behave.  I keep my life pure.  I spread His love.  I keep my temper.  I stop doubting. (I'm writing these as thought I already do them, but I'm still working.)  I love Him.