How Content Are You?

Am I really content? That’s the question that’s loitering in my head this morning as I rewind yesterday’s message in my mind. Can I really say as Paul said in Philippians 4: 11-13 that I have learned the secret of being content?

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned , in whatsoever state I am , therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased , and I know how to abound : every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need . 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)

11 And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. 12 I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. 13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (GNT)

 

It would be easy to blast off a quick yes I’m happy with what I have but closer inspection of the word contentment is necessary. According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, contentment is an internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances. The American Heritage Dictionary defines content has desiring no more than what has or satisfied; ready to accept or acquiesce; willing. 

In examining those two definitions, I can easily see that I don’t fully measure up to Paul’s declaration. I can think of situations I don’t readily accept. Nelson’s Illustrated Dictionary defines content as freedom from anxiety or worry.

The idea of of contentment comes from a Greek word that means “independence” or “self-sufficiency”. But the apostle Paul used the word in a Christian sense to show that real satisfaction or sufficiency comes from God:

Quite frankly there are some conditions I find myself in that I become irritated and anxiously await change to come.  So how does one be content yet expectantly wait for fulfillment of the promises?  Hmmm, a quick search of my blog archives reveal this has not been the first time I have pondered the question. In a post titled Satisfaction Guaranteed, I stated the following:

How can I be satisfied when I don't like what is occurring around me? Honestly, I haven't mastered the art of contentment. But in reading something the other day, I gained greater insight on contentment. When I know and trust that where I am is not outside of God's radar, I can be confident that He is orchestrating all things and that there is indeed a plan for my life. Therefore, I can patiently wait on Him.

Because Just One is Never Enough

Have you ever just ate one M&M or one potato chip? I can’t think of one single time that’s occurred for me.  It’s just something about them that calls me back for another one. And then another one. Even when I tried these new popcorn chips, which I didn’t like, I gave it more than one try. For you, it might not be either of two that has you reaching for more. But there is bound to be something that you refuse to settle for just one.

If food, clothes, shoes, or technological gadgets can have us (me) craving for more than one, why is it that we (me) settle for acknowledging God on a matter just once? Ouch, is what I said when this was brought to my attention today. The other day a friend of mine told me that I think too much. Admittedly, I consider myself more of a thinker than a talker but I was prodded by the spirit that the reason for some of all that thinking is that I’m not doing enough acknowledging in my life. You see when I’m thinking, I am pondering ways to fix this, correct that, and predict the future. In essence I’m taking matters into my own feeble hands. The thinking gets me super glued to what-if(s) and how.

When all I really need to do is trust and put into practice Proverbs 3:6,

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)

It’s not enough to acknowledge God once but it’s something to be done continually. He does not become tired of us coming to Him about the details of our life. He promised to give us direction. If I’m  feeling lost, perhaps it is because I have failed to seek His counsel. So even if you asked God once and you did not hear anything (because that happens to me a lot), remain consist in your acknowledging. 

Linking up with Tracy for Winsome Wednesday.

The Promise Keeper

It’s hard to believe we are already in the next to last month of the year. Where has the time gone? There is something about this time of year that causes me to look back over the landscape of my year and do an assessment. Although looking for areas of accomplishments is good, I generally find myself examining the areas that I started but never finished. My eyes focus on  what I have yet to obtain or see manifest in my life. Do you know what happens when I do this? Disappointment sets in. I lose my grip on the promises of God.

As I walked this morning and pondered yesterday’s message in my heart,  I heard the whispers of God reminding me that He is the promise keeper. For a girl, who has experienced the heartache of broken promises, it’s hard for me at times to really trust. People I thought were trustworthy proved themselves otherwise. And then there is the fact that I don’t always keep the promises I make to myself. I promise to eat better, exercise more, venture out more, think better thoughts, or act less selfishly BUT I fail to keep my word. So the issue of promises often has me mentally squirming and pondering should I really believe that it’ll happen this time.

Our vision of God is often distorted because we look through the lens of our human experiences. A promise is only as good as the character of the one, who makes the promise. As humans, we all have failed to keep at least one promise but not God.

True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean God will break his promises? Romans 3:3 NLT

Despite the approach of the end of year, do not lose hope in God’s Word. There is still time left. Do as Psalms 119:82 says, strain to see the promises of God. Daily He is fulfilling promises to you and me.

B E L O V E D

As I opened the latest edition of Sanctified Together, I was greeted with the words beloved Wanda. The idea of me being BELOVED gripped my thoughts. It was not just some standard opening line but rather I was reminded that it’s just what God feels about me. I am His beloved. You are His beloved!

My beloved is mine, and I am his, Song of Solomon 2:16a

The Road Back to Judah

Have you ever found yourself in a place in life that was absent of judah (praise)? While if we just think and examine close enough there is always something for which to be grateful. But life can throw you some blows that shroud the goodness around you. The book of Ruth tells of the story of one such woman, named Naomi.

In an attempt to avoid famine in her hometown, Naomi travelled with her husband and sons to Moab. During her time there she lost her husband and eventually her two sons. Left widowed, alone, and hopeless in a foreign land. Yet she heard the news of God blessing in her hometown and made the decision to go back home.

Although she was going back to a place she had been before, she wasn’t the same. Her condition had changed. She went out married and came back widowed. She went out with children and came back childless. She left full of hope but was returning hopeless. She was coming back bitter, full of sorrow, and blaming God for her plight.

Like Naomi, I have encountered changes during my life journey. Changes that were for the worse instead of better. Changes that led me back to square one again. Only this time my heart wasn’t as open as before. I wasn’t as hopeful as before.  I wasn’t rehearsing His goodness as before. Why? Because I thought I heard God but it didn’t turn out the way I expected. Or because I experienced loss or disappointment.

Each of our lives  have episodes of loss, disappointment, grief, bad decision-making but our stories don’t have to end there. All the while Naomi was going about trying to survive, God was orchestrating a plan. He was ushering her back to a place in life, one that she couldn’t even conceive in her own mind, that was leading to hope and praise. And He’s doing that for you and me. All the times I cried about loss, I didn’t readily see that He would bring new experiences, which would lead me back to hope, faith, and love again.

God is one who is in the details of our lives. He is in the midst of our everyday affairs and He can make sense of all the randomness.

Beyond

Beyond is moving pass the often self-imposed limitations.
beyond the shame forgetting the pain of the past
No longer clinging to what’s gone but embracing what remains
  all the while understanding there’s more to attain

Moving out of places of comfort to new canvases
  allowing myself to paint with new colors
and trusting that even with these hues beauty can be seen.

Beyond the chains of my own thoughts
but grasping for higher & more loftier ones.

Refusing to be chained to the failures of yesterday
I choose to move beyond what I thought relinquishing my own hopes
so that I might received beyond what I could imagine.

Joining Gypsy Mama for 5-minute Friday. When I saw the word beyond, it reminded me of the song that’s been playing for days on my car stereo.  Sharing it with you.

Embracing Farewell

Growing up I have always been shy, which didn’t lend itself to making large number of friends. Instead I chose to develop a small circle of friends. I have always envied my sibling’s outgoing personality but it just never came that easy for me. Letting someone new in is never easy for me. So you can imagine how difficult goodbye must be.

But as you know, God never leaves us in our places of comfort for too long. He nudges us and at times gives us a big push in order to produce growth in our lives. That’s what He has been doing for me in the past few months of this year. He’s taken me down new roads meeting new people and encountering new experiences. At times I have trodden  along timidly and other times a bit defiantly, kicking, screaming, and pleading that He give me a moment to catch my breath.

Once I have said hello to something new I long to cling to it but I have experienced quite a few exits that caused me to grieve and question why I had to go through the experience. But God in His kindness has been teaching me the true value of goodbye. When I clutch onto to the things in my life that He has chosen to usher out, I keep myself stuck and stunted. It is the farewells of life that makes room for new hellos.

Father help me (and others like me) to embrace what you’re doing now. Teach us how to mourn during the allotted time but not to get stuck there. Lord I thank you for the ability to move forward in You. Thank you that as we walk along life’s journey you are with us! We chose to place our confidence in You and in Your ability to guide us along the right paths for lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

Three Things

I received the following message from a friend today. Thus I’m sharing it with each of you (my bloggy friends).

3 things in life that never come back when gone

1. TIME
2. WORDS
3. OPPORTUNITY

3 things in life that should never be lost:

1. PEACE
2.HOPE
3.HONESTY

3 things in life that are most valuable:

1. PRAYER
2 LOVE
3. FAITH

3 things in life that make a person:

1. HARD WORK
2. SINCERITY
3.COMMITMENT

3 things in life that can destroy a person:

1. LUST
2. PRIDE
3. ANGER

3 things in life that are constant:

1. GOD
2. CHANGE
3. DEATH

Reading this email reminded me of 1 Corinthians 13:13. May our lives be built upon that which is eternal.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13 NLT

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. I Corinthians 13:13(The Message)

Let It Be Settled

He is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. Psalm 112:7b (TLB)

Is the question of God  being on your side settled in your mind?

Amongst all the turmoil that you have experienced or are experiencing in your life,  are you convinced that God will carry you through it?

Through the crooks, turns, valleys, caves, and rough terrain are you convinced that indeed the Father has a  plan for you life?

As I came across Psalm 112:7, those are the questions I’m asking myself. It’s easy to give off the expected answer of yes. But does my actions, my moods, my speech line up with that confession is the real question.

In Expectation

Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. Job 12:4a (NLT)

Notice the two verbs in the last section of the passage. One of the definition of call is to make a request or demand, which sounds like prayer to me. For many of us calling on God has become a part of daily lives even if it’s not for extended periods of prayer time, we find ourselves sending up quick Lord help me prayers.
But what is it that you expect from your calling? Do you really anticipate that He will answer? Or have you grown accustomed to calling on Him about the same condition so long that your level of expectation of change has diminished?
As I examined myself in light of this scripture, that wouldn’t let be just cruise on by in my reading, I had to admit that there are some places in my life that my expectation of His answer showing up had dwindled.
Oh Lord forgive me for not fully placing my confidence in you. Thank you for loving me enough that you would bring light to this area of my life. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are also experiencing diminished expectations in areas of their lives. I pray that their faith would be stirred a new. In Jesus name, Amen. 

But What About the Brook

Amongst all the disarrayed thoughts, the account of Elijah at the brook of Cherith has been lodged in my mind for several days now. Some how I keep having reoccurring encounters with this story. My sister brings it up during a conversation and then my devotional  book just happens to have a passage of scripture from this particular event in the Bible.  Seems as if someone has been flashing a neon light at me that I need not flippantly pass by.

After a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came to him: I kings 17:7-8 (AMP)

While I have heard of Elijah’s experience at the brook before, I had never considered how he must have felt as he sat and watch the brook come to a dry dust bowl. In my mind, I imagine him wondering how exactly did he get here. After all, he was following God’s command. But after a while that place no longer provided provision. I wonder if he might have become antsy and was tempted to get moving elsewhere when in noticed the continually dwindle water supply. Had he possible cooked up his own plan B? Did he wonder if he had some how “missed” God on this one?

To remain steadfast beside the brook until it dried up displayed Elijah’s trust in God’s ability and willingness to provide for his needs.  To stay when tempted to run out and do our own thing reveals our refusal to be lead by our own understanding.

One thing I noticed was that Elijah only received his next instruction after the brook dried up. Which brings to mind how I’m often trying to figure out the next steps along the path rather than just trusting that the Master will direct my footsteps.

Here’s an excerpt from Streams in the Desert:

Most of us would have become anxious and tired, and would have made other plans long before God spoke. Our singing would have stopped as soon as the stream flowed less musically over its rocky bed. We would have hung our harps on the willows nearby and begun pacing back and forth on the withering grass, worrying about our predicament. And probably, long before the brook actually dried up, we would have devised some plan, asked God to bless it, and headed elsewhere.

Have you found yourself sitting along you own brook of Cherith recently? Did you step out into something in which you felt was spirit-inspired only to see it dwindle away? Were you able to sit patiently as it dried up or did you find yourself gravitating to cooking up your own options?

When Loving You is Wrong

Image Courtesy of Morguefile

I remember the lyrics of song that said if loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Kind  of sounds like a song a hopeless (or should a say reckless) romantic might sing. I have had my own encounter of loving when it was wrong. And wouldn’t you know I found myself in the Word of God as I read I Kings 11. My sneaky suspicion was confirmed that I was not the only one to find themselves on the wrong side of love.
Solomon-the wisest person in the world and a king no doubt-found himself in a precarious position. He had a thing for foreign women. Even after receiving clear instructions to avoid them.

The LORD had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations, because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. I Kings 11:2a

Solomon was a man well versed in God’s Word and man full of wisdom.

Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. I Kings 11:2b

I guess he wasn’t willing to give them up so he could be right. Some how he consider them worth the cost of being wrong.
Stay tuned as I explore the cost he paid for loving when it’s wrong.

Entries & Exits

The letter of the day is E. Not a lot of E-words come to mind other than eyes, emotion, exude, emote, and excel. Rather than use any of those I have decided to focus on the e’s that keep coming up in my reading-entry and exit.

As the Israelites where traversing from Egypt in route to the place of promise, several warnings were issued about how to act when they finally entered the land. In summary, they were advised of three key areas:

1. Obedience

2. Temptation to Compromise

3. Keeping First Things First

Failure in these areas meant the difference in them just entering but only passing through and them entering in and being established. Are these not the exact challenges we each encounter today when faced with the opportunity to enter and occupy new places in our lives? Does not matter if the new place is a relationship, career, ministry endeavor, or hobby. We will have to fight tendencies to want to do things our own way rather than obey God’s voice. If we do not stay alert, areas of compromise will creep in. Seeing how others do it will have us venturing off the path set out for us. And, the busyness, pleasure, and perks of the good place can squeeze out our time for the one who made it all possible.

Entering into a place by nature means we are exiting out of another. Some places I have exited with regret and others with enthusiasm. Just as some places in life I have entered feeling elated but others with a bit of mixed emotions. Regardless of the emotions, I don’t want to be forced to exit the places of promise prematurely because I failed to keep the proper balance.

Choosing to See Chariots

What do you see when faced with problems? Victory or defeat? Do you see it as something that you are passing through or as something that will forever be at your side?  We all can quote the victory chant when the end can easily be seen but as the days turns to weeks and weeks turn to months and months to years, there is a tendency to loose the cheer and lose our ability to see change coming.

Reading today’s devotional from Streams in the Desert reminded me that it is my choice on how I view the test and trials that come my way. Will I see them as chariots transporting me from places of immaturity to maturity, weakness to strength, indifference to compassion, lameness to mobility? Or will I refuse to confront them and see them only as boulders crushing down upon me keeping me locked in, tied up and shut out?

Can I share with you the portion that caused my mind to go a churning this morning as I read?

Once our eyes are opened by God, we will see all the events of our lives as, whether great or small, joyful or sad, as a “chariot” for our souls. Everything that comes to us becomes a chariot the moment we treat it as such. On the other hand, even the smallest trial may become an object crushing everything in its path  into misery and despair if we all it.

The difference then becomes a choice we make. It all depends not on the events themselves but on how we view them. If we simply lie down, allowing them to roll over and crush us, they become an uncontrollable car of destruction. Yet if we climb into them, as riding into a car of victory, they become the chariots of God to triumphantly take us onward and upward. Hannah Whitall Smith

Now I know that life can throw some pretty difficult challenges our way and sometimes for the life of me I can’t see anything but doom and gloom. But it is at those times that I can pray, Lord open my eyes that I might see.

Still I Sing

Inspired by the song of the birds

Been through the stark darkness of the night
Wasn’t sure if I’d ever see the slightest crack of light
but still I sing

Devastation and destruction surrounds me
I’m not even able to take flight
But even now I choose to sing!

Betrayed and wounded my wings find no strength to soar
Things appear hopeless but I dare to dream there’s so much more
But today I still sing

I sing not because all is good
Rather I’m thankful that things are not as it could
I sing because You are worthy
So whether in a whisper or in an exuberant voice
to sing unto You is an easy choice.

The Pace Setter

I will move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children. Genesis 33:14

The devotional for today from Streams of the Desert highlights this verse, which is Jacob’s statement about the pace, he would take when returning to meet his brother Esau. I have never walked with cattle but I certainly have with kids and those tiny steps of theirs have a way of slowing you down. Jacob wasn’t on a leisurely stroll but was going to face his past. Finally having the nerve to do so, I would think he might want to go ahead and get it over with thus pushing those traveling along with him to move faster. Yet he chose to set his pace to match the cattle and children, although he already knew the terrain ahead. His brother, Esau on the other hand was not journeying with such a caravan and could probably forge ahead faster.

It makes me think of how at times I’m tempted to compare my pace in life with the sister (or brother) next to me. It seems like I should be farther along. I should be married with 2.5 kids. I should be doing more volunteering, more mission work, leading more groups. There are so many should be(s) one can get caught up in when peeking into the lives of others. Whether it deals with family life, housekeeping, or blogging, the temptation to follow someone else’s pace exist. However, just as Esau and Jacob’s travelling companions differed, my baggage, my companions are uniquely my own.

Before I was born, God set the course of life for me. It is He who knows the way that I take.  I have never been this way before but God has and He knows all that the journey comprises. Because He knows me, He knows the proper pace for me even when I think it should be faster or I’d much rather slow down. I find comfort in the writer’s statement below.

He knows that all the time and will never make you take even one step beyond what your feet are able to endure. Never mind if you think you are unable to take another step, for either He will strengthen you to make you able, or He will call a sudden halt, and you will not have to take it at all. –Frances Ridley Havergal from Streams in the Desert.

Sending you cheers as you walk (or run) along the journey and resolving to stay at my own pace.

Traveling Shoes

Ever since I read Ellie’s post on a reverb prompt regarding travel, I have found myself pondering about the places I have travelled during the course of 2010. Not so much the physical places, although I did do a bit of that too. Thefreedictionary.com defines travel as to go from one place to another, as on a trip; journey or to advance or proceed.

As I reflect back over the year, I can see where I stopped along so many places. I spent some time wondering through desert lands, where I seen no evidence of God’s presence or picture of His plan unfolding. I crotched along the sea of complaints and sometimes I settled amidst places of comfort rather than forging ahead courageously. There were times that tears seem to be my drink of choice.

I walked through dark days but I learned how to allow the light within to lead the way. The bands of fear that kept me immobile were loosen. Along this year’s journey I’ve battled the blahs, insecurity, doubt, and weariness.  With shaking knees and trembling voice, I confronted fear and completed the assignment God gave me for the year.

I still live in the same city and in the same house. Work at the same job and attend the same church. A part of the same family. But I’m not in the same place I was at the beginning of the year. For all of the hills and valleys I traveled thorough were needful for me.

Lord as I stand on the brink of the close of 2010, I say thank you. The journey has not always been fun or easy but you have remained at my side. I don’t know what 2011 will bring but I place my hand in yours trusting that you’ll lead and guide me through.

Wishing you safe travels & Happy New Year!