"Satisfied Mind"

Written and recorded by Porter Wagoner

How many times have you heard someone say
If I had his money I would do things my way
But little they know that it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind


Once I was living in fortune and fame
I had all that I needed to get a start in life's game
Then suddenly it happened I lost every dime
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind

'Cause money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely or a love that's grown cold
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind


When my life has ended and my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones will weep there's no doubt
But one thing's for certain when it comes my time
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind

This song was released in 1955. I was only seven at the time, so I truthfully can’t say that I remember the first time I heard it. To be perfectly honest, the song had very little meaning to me. Then one day, as I was listening to some of the old “Country Classics”, Porter began to sing and for the first time, I actually heard the words. I found that it was almost prophetic in its message, Now, I’m not so foolish as to say that it was a life changing event, but, as the title suggests, it did make me stop and think about whether or not I was actually satisfied with those things I had.

Since most of my posts are of a Christian nature, one might ask, “What does that have to do with the church or Christians?” I will try to answer that question on the next few lines.

First of all, allow me to begin with a couple of questions of my own. How many do we know that call themselves Christians who can sincerely say that they have a satisfied mind? How many have an inner peace with God. In all honesty, I have found that rather than lifting up their voices to sing praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, too many Christians today are singing the songs of complaint, the verses of which ring only with the rhyme of discontent.  Very few are satisfied with the lot and life that God has given them. They cannot find happiness with who they are. Instead of being appreciative, and looking to the promises that God has given in His Holy Word, where peace, contentment and comfort abound, they tend to set their minds on external things; “on things below and not on things above” They look around at everyone else and set their goal to be like them or to even become them. Very few people we are acquainted with today are actually who they seem to be. They don’t hold to their true self, but have rather created a pseudo-identity that will be acceptable to everyone else.  A perfect example of this phenomenon can be found on the social media.

If anyone doubts this to be true just open up the “page” of someone you may know directly. Read about a wife who worships her husband or a husband who adores his wife. Read how precious they are to each other. But they forget there are people that know them personally; outside the fantasy world they have created on this social media. These same people, who adore and worship each other on a web page, in many cases cannot in reality, stand the sight of each other. It’s almost as if they think by “posting” these comments, it makes them factual.

The “dissatisfied” look upon those whom they think are “blessed” with beauty and charm, but cannot see that on the inside, many of these people are empty and miserable. They are enamored by the outward being that stands before them, but again, they cannot look into the heart and see that they are naked and poor on the inside.

Everyone craves acceptance, and sadly most couldn’t care less if they are accepted of God as long as they are accepted by the world. Whether it is from their peers or from perfect strangers, all want to be a part of today’s society. No matter what they have in their personal possession, they still look at others and desire what they have. In Biblical terms this is called covetousness. 

 Even the churches of today have fallen into this trap. Many may look at others with a larger attendance or membership, then will start to pattern themselves after that church or in many cases will devise their own ways in which to grow their church. (Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” Ps 127:1). It seems that conforming to the world has become the first priority on everyone’s agenda of life. However, we can be assured that this is not the life that Jesus has called us to. In fact, did He not teach us that if the world hated Him it would hate us also?  It seems that very few are putting forth even the least effort to please our Lord. The churches, as well as many Christians are struggling to fit into a world society in order to bring sinners out from the same worldly society they are using as their means of “recruiting” the “lost”.  If this sounds nonsensical that’s because it is. For Jesus made it plain that we are to come out from the world and be a separated people. There is nothing wrong in reaching out to the sinner, but we are never directed to compromise our Biblical or Christian values to do so.  

The only way to be content is to put aside these desires and “cravings”, much like a lifelong smoker who has finally made the decision to stop his use of tobacco. Is it easy? No, in fact it is terribly hard to put one’s life on the back burner and seek the will of God. But only after this is done and they begin to seek do the will of God will they find contentment and have a “Satisfied Mind”.

Remember; that which is impossible with man is possible with God!!