The Secret of Being Content

So, the Lord had me in Philippians 4:10-13 throughout the entire summer...and recently I went back through some journal entries I wrote this summer on these verses and came across this...I hope it blesses you as much as I did me. Enjoy!


"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." Phil 4:12

This verse hit me like a ton of bricks as I thought to myself, "Have I learned the secret of being content?" "What exactly is the secret of being content?" "What was Paul referring to?"

Paul who had been a persecutor of the church? Paul whose name was formally Saul...Paul who knew all too well what the inside of a prison cell looked like and had the experience of chains being shackled to his feet. Paul, who was called a liar, murderer and hypocrite after he made a commitment to follow Christ; Paul...what did Paul know about being content? How could he speak of being content after having such traumatic experiences?

Yet we find in this one verse a powerful declaration..."I have learned the secret of being content." Perhaps Paul...while he was locked in prison...back freshly bruised from being beaten...perhaps Paul had learned how not to focus on the beating or the chains, but the God who took a beating for us...and who has the power to free us from our own chains. Perhaps Paul focused on God. In the midst of his struggle and situation...perhaps he took his eyes off of his situation long enough to focus on the God who is above every situation. And in doing so activated a kind of hope and peace that one can only obtain when they choose to take their eyes off of their circumstances and place them on the creator who is greater than our circumstances.

Maybe Paul did this and as he began to focus on the creator and reflect on His character...on the fact that He is faithful and that He does not change; That He holds all power in his hands and that "He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us to give us a hope and a future," Jeremiah29:11. Perhaps as he thought about these things he became content.

You see the secret of being content is really no secret at all...but it's a choice that we make...a choice not focus on our circumstances or problems but the God who is greater than our circumstances and problems!

So this day I'm choosing not to focus on my problems but my God...my God who shall supply all of my needs…I'm choosing to be content in Him!

How about you? Will you join me in this?

Massages & Vacations, True Peace?

"If only I could go on vacation again; If only I could get a massage...every month that is, then I would be at rest...then I wouldn't be stressed; Then I could simply relax...and exhale!"

These are the things I tell myself...month after month...day after day. Thinking that these things can bring the peace of mind & satisfaction that I so desire. But after experiecing these momentary pleasures, I go back to the grind of life only to feel the same stress & strain I thought a vacation could permanently alleviate.

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." These are the words Jesus spoke to his disciples a few days before He was to be crucified. It was sometime after the Lord's supper & he was trying to prepare them for the coming of the comforter (the Holy Spirit) that would provide the peace that He spoke of.

But why did He have to tell his disciples this?

They were in fact the one's who had the priviledge of following Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. They had been the select few that got the opportunity to know Jesus intimately. Why did they need to hear Jesus speak these words?

Perhaps it was because they were beginning to look to other things & people to bring them peace. Perhaps it was because although they had been with Jesus they hadn't really "been with Jesus." They had been with him but hadn't gotten to know Him. Can we in fact be with Jesus...spend time around the things of God...you know like church, Bible study, Christian music & the like and still not really know Him?

I confess this is where I've been lately...ministering to others; encouraging others; preparing Bible studies & sermons but looking to a 1 hour massage to bring me peace of mind. When the real peace of mind I seek can't be found in the things of this world, but in the One who created this world and holds it in the palm of His hands. He is the only one that can massage the stress of life out of our worn bodies. He is the only one that promises true vacation from the grind of life when He invites us to, "come to Him, those that are weary & heavy laden & He will provide rest for our souls" (Matt 11:28).

Yes, Jesus is our true peace & promises to provide us with an experience of peace that we can't even comprehend (Phil 4:7)...but we first have to come!

So what have you looked to lately to provide you with peace? How have you experienced God's peace in your life as a result of coming to Him? I'd love to hear from you.

Dionne

New Year's Resolutions: To Do or Not To Do That is The Question

It is official...we have ushered in a new year...a new decade to be exact. And with that comes new goals, new lists, new resolutions or not...I could go on but I think you get the point. It's a new year and like many people, I'm sure we've all thought about the new and/or different things we want to do this year. The New Year's resolution we want to make. But like many people, by next week the resolutions will be long gone and forgotten and we will be back to doing things the "old way."

Or Not!

Maybe we (you and I that is) can start this new year off in a different way. Consider the following:

I want to pose two different questions and I'm eager to hear your responses. I'm not big on new year's resolutions myself. But I am always eager to see how God is going to move in my life and in the lives of those around me in a new year. So, with that said I'm posing two questions for this post:

1. How do you expect to see God move in your life in 2010? To answer this question you may want to think about somethings that you've been praying about or some ways that you've heard God speak to you in 2009...maybe this is the time in which He will bring those things to pass. However you choose to answer this, remember that the overall question is what are you expecting to see God do in your life in 2010? What doors are you eager to see God open? What ways are you desperate to see Him make? What changes need to be made? How are you expecting to see God move?

As for me...I'm expecting to see God open new doors for both my husband and I in ministry...new opportunities to proclaim the Gospel...to make God's name famous. More opportunities to learn of Him. I'm also expecting to see God use me in ways that He hasn't used me before. I am expecting to be stretched in 2010...to be developed...to be transformed. I am also expecting to see changes in those family and friends that I've been praying for. I am expecting to see God do some awesome and amazing things in my life and in the lives of those around me!

OK, so now that you have that question in mind, here is the second one:

2.) What needs to be done in you in 2010? Or what area is God calling you to be more faithful in? Maybe you need to work on being more patient. Or maybe you need the Lord to help you deal with how you express your anger. I encourage you to be honest with yourself, but also ask the Lord what needs to be done in you in 2010. I can be honest and say that I could definitely use some patience in 2010...I also desire to embody God's peace and not be so easily swayed by the things going on around me. Finally, I want to embody the love of Christ...I desire to be more loving. Not just to those who are easy to love but even to those who make it difficult for me to love.

I'm sure you already know this, but in order for us to accomplish these things we definitely can not do them on our own...we need the power and might of the Holy Spirit! So as you reflect on the thing or things that need to be within you, do so depending on the Spirit of God!

OK, so now it is your turn...How do you expect to see God move in your life in 2010 and what needs to be done in you in 2010? Write back, I'd love to hear from you!

Dionne J. Edmonds