This is the phrase that's been invading my prayers and my low moments and my sweetest experiences recently; it doesn’t get any better than this.

This is a phrase that is true no matter what our circumstances. Whether it's a mundane, lonely day or your wedding day, whether you wake up on a hospital bed or mid-adventure the other side of the world - today, because you know the One who made you and can walk alongside the Lord of the universe, it doesn’t get any better than this.

This is not a phrase that we find in society. You will not find adverts persuading you that you already have all you need, or insta-accounts that affirm you do not need to be like anyone else or be any better. Far too much and for far too long we have been convinced that it does get better than this; circumstances need to be better, we need to be better. To declare this phrase is not to declare that your circumstances are happy and easy and you wouldn't change anything about them. To state this is simply to dare to believe the contentment that comes from knowing Jesus Christ personally. In Him contentment is available, it is possible and real and normal; it doesn’t get any better than this

This phrase also does not depend on our feelings. It may not often feel like we’ve reached the peak of contentment. Life doesn’t often feel as simple and rosy as a walk in the park with our Maker. Thankfully, truth does not depend on our feelings, but our feelings can align with the truth. Because these words are true, somehow in saying them their truth is released in our hearts. We can start to feel it- the warmth of contentment rises, the peace of no longer searching but knowing that we have found all that we were ever and will ever look for sinks in. And we can say it again, this time with more conviction than the last; it doesn’t get any better than this.

This phrase takes courage to say, and courage to live by. It takes far more courage to believe in contentment than to assume we will be underwhelmed and disappointed. It takes far more courage to choose joy right from the start than to wait for happy things to drop joy into your lap. And if we’re honest, we'd much rather stay in bed and make excuses of all the things that should get better than this. But as you awake the very One who made you is extending a hand inviting you to live the day with Him. He offers you strength for today, hope for tomorrow and life in its fullness right now; it doesn’t get any better than this.  

When we have Jesus we have all we need. We were made to know our Maker and be united with Him. So when we walk with Him, each day we are walking out what we were made for.

Breathe this truth in, believe it, live it, proclaim it. And watch the culture change around you. Watch hope seep in and joy take over as the people around you realise we can be content. This is what it means to live with Jesus; it doesn’t get any better than this.