Do you want the most out of life? Does anyone get up in the morning and say, “I think I want less in life?”  Sound like trick question? It’s not intended to be.  There is quite a distinction though between the phrase “I want the most out of life” and “I want less in life.”  When paired together, I believe you will get the most out of life when you want less in life.

Perhaps you have heard the statement “Less equals More.”  Author Greg McKeon in his book Essentialism describes non-essentialism as “the undisciplined pursuit of more” and essentialism as “the disciplined pursuit of less, but better.”

The classic definition of minimalism I’m familiar with and embrace comes from minimalist Joshua Becker. “Minimalism is the intentional pursuit and promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.”

Arthur C. Brooks presents a great equation for satisfaction in life. “Satisfaction = what you have, divided by, what you want. He explains, the key is to focus on the denominator, whereas most focus on the numerator. We try to achieve higher levels of satisfaction by increasing what we have by working, spending, working, spending and on and on. But this is pure futility, for we will never be satisfied with obtaining status quo. Satisfaction will always be just beyond our grasp, forcing us to strive even more. The secret is to focus on the denominator. Quit obsessing about your haves and instead manage your wants. He goes on to say the fewer wants there are screaming inside your brain and dividing your attention, the more peace and satisfaction will be left for what you already have.”

But my favorite quote of all when it comes to satisfaction and getting the most out of life is from John Piper in his book Desiring God. He writes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” If we go back to Brooks’ equation, we can focus on the denominator and reduce the number of wants and even greatly reduce the number of haves in the numerator. The greatest satisfaction we’ll ever experience though is when our satisfaction equation gets down to one have and one want. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

The apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12 says, “Not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Then in verse 14 he says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Interesting the goal is Christlikeness and perfection, and the prize is Christlikeness and perfection.

As I write this post the start of the 2024 Summer Olympic games in Paris are just 11 days away. Thousands of athletes have trained for years with the single goal of winning their event and standing on the winner’s podium to receive the prize, a gold medal. For an Olympic runner, the goal is to win the race and the prize is a gold medal. As followers of Jesus, we are called upon to run the race set before us. The goal is Christ, and the prize is Christ! What more could you want or have in life?

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