Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned
to him and to which God has called him.
I Corinthians 17:7 (NIV)
to him and to which God has called him.
I Corinthians 17:7 (NIV)
Same verse, different version:
Don't be wishing you were someplace else
or with someone else.
Where you are right now is God's place for you.
Live and obey and love and believe right there.
or with someone else.
Where you are right now is God's place for you.
Live and obey and love and believe right there.
I Corinthians 7:17a (The Message)
I've been thinking a lot about contentment lately; being content with my place in this world; being content with who I am; being content to to just let life happen in the here and now; savoring the precious moments of each day. After all, today may be my last day on this earth. Not to sound morbid or anything, but it seems that lately I've been reminded of the brevity of life. God is the only one who knows how many days on this earth I've been blessed with, so I'd better make the most of the ones He's given me.
My best friend just gave me Max Lucado's latest book, Every Day Deserves a Chance. It couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. The book has 10 chapters and I've got a little more than 10 days left in the school year before my boys will be home all day during the summer holidays. My goal is to get this book read prior to that phase in my life beginning.
I've only read one chapter of the book and I've already been challenged in the area of being content.
As quoted from the Every Day Deserves a Chance by Max Lucado:
"Saturate your day in his grace.
"I tell you in solemn truth," replied Jesus, "that this very day you shall be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43 WEY)
Entrust your day to his oversight.
"Give us day by day our daily bread."
(Luke 11:3 NKJV)
(Luke 11:3 NKJV)
Accept his direction.
"If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself.
You must take up your cross each day and follow me."
(Luke 9:23 CEV)
You must take up your cross each day and follow me."
(Luke 9:23 CEV)
Grace. Oversight. Direction.
G-O-D
Fill your day with GOD. Give the day a chance."
6 comments:
Dear Kim,
I have to say I came for a visit because my life is full of stress. We are heading to the states for a year maybe two - transition is never that easy but it is never made easier when you have others finding you a home and they find a small apartment with details like 900 sq.feetish- it seems not in the best neighborhood and while the Lord has provided for all our needs - I know in my head I should be thankful and in many ways I am but my flesh cries out... WORRY and be ANXIOUS....
I got really nervous all of a sudden went to talk to my husband and of course it is anything but "comforting" I get preached at... not what I needed at the moment.
I retreated to my quiet place and began searching the internet... you know? thinking I could find a better place. And then I just said, No I need a word from a friend and I came to visit you!
I'm crying right now - not tears of sadness really but tears of brokenness..... Your post was just what the I needed to hear...
Amazing how the WORD cuts to the quick and helps us to see our feeble attempt in CARING for our selves and helps us to realize that HE LOVES ME More than I could ever even love myself.
I just wanted to say thank you for posting and sharing your journey with us... no with me...
I know the TRUTH is - I can trust in HIM to provide what I need nothing more. I just need to get better at not wanting more than what I need...
blessings on you and your journey to contentment.. seems like it is a life long journey at that but thank goodness we have a Lord and SAVIOR who walks with us each step of the way and who has already journeyed this road .....
blessings, Melissa
Hi Kimmy, it's good to be back saying Hi to my friends!
Thank you for this post today. Melissa's comments made me all teary eyed. I think so many of us are struggling. Maybe in different ways, but yet still the same. This is an excellent reminder of following His direction. But boy can it be hard to give up ourselves and let Him lead.
I do hope you will continue to share what you are learning. Who knows? It may be just what I need for the day. Missed you and will try to catch up on all your posts this weekend!
Perfect words Kim.
Blessings to you sweet friend.
I've been pondering along the same lines these days. Bear with these thoughts, or chew on them!!
We are to continually strive to be like Christ, so complete contentment shouldn't really be something accomplish in this life.
We are to have the joy of the Lord, and pray continually and live in the Spirit... that sounds like contentment!?
If I am content with my life, has Satan tricked me into thinking nothing needs to change? That I am "good enough?"
Not feeling at home and content should be okay for me as a Christian, given that this life is temporary and not our permanent eternal home.
Maybe there are differences between content with posessions, content with who I am, with how my walk with God is (needs constant growth), with who my spouse/family is/are, with where God has placed us (geographically and in ministry).
Any thoughts?
Chris: What I was referring to in this post was not a spiritual contentment. You said it right, "We are to continually strive to be like Christ, so complete contentment shouldn't really be something accomplish in this life." I agree. Being satisfied and content with where I am spiritually should never be fulfilled . . . instead, I strive towards spiritual contentment that will only come to fruition on the day that I meet my maker and start my eternity with Him in heaven. BUT, in order to grow spiritually, I need to be content with the other things in life, such as "posessions . . . who I am . . . who my spouse/family is/are, where God has placed us (geographically and in ministry)."
I hope this clarifies what I was trying to say. Thanks for your thoughts.
yeah... I understand what you're saying. In light of the possessions... it's kind of a funny line we draw between having enough and being content with who we are, and yet having motivation to give everything your best and accomplish a lot of things for God or my business or my family. Sometimes wealth or the absence of financial struggles comes with not being satisfied with where your life is at, and striving for better. Is this necessarily bad?
Personally, I am working at reducing some expenses in order to live at a lower income bracket. I may find this doesn't really breed contentment, but some hardship develops character too, right?
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