Greetings all…
Given some of the conversations that I have had with some of you lately… given some of the things I have just observed lately… and given some of the things I am wrestling with lately… I really felt led today to share with you something God led me to in my quiet time this morning.
I know that many of us are in some tough situations right now. While there are a lot of things in our lives that are great, there are also some burdens that we are all dealing with. For most of us, things are incredibly tight financially. For many of us, the job situation right now is less than what we might hope for. But whatever your personal landscape looks like, it seems that there is something missing in most of our lives… joy. Now, I know that things change in time and our lives are no exception… obviously none of our lives are as carefree and fun as they were just a few years back… but it seems to me that most of us – myself included at times – have lost that spring in our step. We seem a little too bogged down with the business, details and stress of life as an adult. But God reminded me of something this morning… He reminded me that while our circumstances are not trivial, they also should not be the ultimate factor in our lives or our attitudes. In Philippians, chapter 4, Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” There is so much that God revealed to me for the thousandth time in those words. He reminded me that we must learn to be contented in the place that we are. As Paul states more than once, he LEARNED how to be content. It was not something that came naturally. It was probably not something that came easily either. But the encouraging thing is that it CAN BE LEARNED. It needs to be learned. So how do we do that? How do we rise above the things in our lives that weigh us down and rob us of our joy and LEARN to be content in the place that God has us?
Well, first, we must remember. As we consider our lot in life, we must make God’s blessings and faithfulness to us over the years as a large part of the equation. We must “consider what great things He has done for us” (1 Sam 12:24). Obviously, that includes the incalculable gift of Christ, but also the everyday things and large gifts He has bestowed on us. And for each of us, I can say with complete certainty that God has blessed us… and our blessing far, far, far outweigh our burdens… and our attitudes should reflect that.
Secondly, we must recognize the fact that all of us are alive… we are all sporting 10 fingers, 10 toes, two arms, two legs, working hearts, lungs and minds. None of us eats through a straw… none of us must be bathed or dressed or helped to the bathroom… all of us can see and hear and smell God’s creation… all of us can think and learn and love and feel… and all of us can stand to be reminded that there are so many people so much worse off than we are. We all have friends and family that love and care for us… and on that note, I will just say what I think we all know in our hearts – we are family… each one of you receiving this e-mail is part of my family, whether by blood or bond. I won’t start singing any Sister Sledge for you here, but just know that you are family, and we are all in this thing together.
Third, we must trust God to continue to provide as He so faithfully has to this point. We should all read Matthew 6:25-34 from time to time… for now, let’s look at 31-34, “So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What Shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” God will provide. He has done it throughout history… He has done it throughout your history… and He will continue to do so. We may not know how, or when or in what ways He will provide for us, but we do know that He will. We just do our best to deal with the day in front of us as a joyful opportunity to serve Him, and let tomorrow come when it does. That doesn’t mean be lazy… it means work hard, just don’t worry hard.
And lastly, we must remind ourselves and each other daily of God’s love and provision for us. We must remind ourselves and each other daily of the love and support and resources that are all around each of us. We must all remind ourselves and each other daily that there is no situation that we cannot get through on God’s provision, Christ’s strength and the support of your family and friends. Back in Philippians, Paul also writes, “It is no trouble for me to write the same things to again, it is a safeguard to you.”… and Peter echoes the same sentiment in 2 Peter, “So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory.” Because the truth is, we all forget the most basic things from time to time, and we all need to be reminded that God is in control and He will provide for us. And so we must LEARN and maybe re-learn and re-learn and re-learn that the secret of being content in our situations is in remembering and relying on God’s provision for our lives. My prayer is that this email serves as just one of the countless and continuing provisions He wants to pour out into each one of your lives.
God Bless,
Jon
PS- I’m sorry if this email seems fragmented or wobbyjompered… I had to write it around other things going on, and it was not one continuous thought stream… but I trust that God will overcome my shortcomings, interruptions and whatever else got in my way this morning, and speak to you in spite of me to communicate what He wants to communicate to you.
Friday, March 26, 2004 11:04AM
