The Writing on the Wall

Contentment

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. " ~Phil. 4:11

The Apostle Paul had it figured out! But it's easier said than done for the rest of us. I just finished discussing with a friend of mine, the topic of being content with not knowing God's plans for us in the future. I have struggled with this issue on occasion in the past, and I am sure I will struggle with it again in the future. I don't know where I will live after I graduate, or where I will work, or who I will marry, or whatever. It often seems like I should know, but God doesn't tend to reveal that to us. I know what I want in those areas, and I may have an idea of what God is planning for me, but I don't know and it isn't easy not knowing! But as I was telling my friend, this thing I do know: I am in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time right now and that is enough for me.

Learning to be content with the here and now, and not wonder and worry about the future is not easy. Yet I am convinced that the key to it all is simple.

"5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. " ~Proverbs 3:5-10

Here Solomon says that we should trust in the Lord and not ourselves for guidance concerning the future. God has plans for us, and they are the only plans in which we are truly happy.

"For I know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts (plans) of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jer. 29:11

So the point is this: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." ~Matt. 6:34 Let us instead focus on today, and be about the ministry of Christ today.

"1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." ~Heb. 12:1-3

tayl

Posted by GodzScout at January 12, 2004 12:56 AM