Walking In Contentment
Joy Revie
I love this time of year when the vibrant colours of autumn take our breath away - gold, bronze, red, orange… it’s nature's final glorious display before shutting down for the winter!
But it also got me thinking about, not just seasons in nature, but also the seasons we experience in our own walk of faith. How sometimes we are in a period of fervent activity and blessing, yet other times it feels like our faith is dry and that God is far away. Or it feels like an endless frustrating wait for those “doors” to open so we can step into another season.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
I have struggled with waiting but recently I have felt God saying:
“Don't think you always have to be doing things for me. Your identity is not in your ministry or your work. Being my child is enough. Find contentment in this and learn to find fulfillment in each season.
The enemy wants you to either walk in a frantic, preoccupied state, or lull you into sleep. But don't let the world set the culture of your heart. I want you to simply surrender to my word and partner with what I am doing.
I will give you new wisdom in how to be content, whether in a season of activity or in a season of waiting.
Don’t voice what is not happening, instead ask for My solution. I will show you what to focus on so you can continue your journey with My peace, and from a place of rest.”
Maggie's talk two weeks ago touched on this too, as we continue our study in Philippians.
In chapter 3, she talked about Paul, who compared his journey of faith like running a race. However, instead of expecting us all to be running, I loved the picture that some of us could be sitting on the sidelines taking a breather while others could be just walking gently!!
Whatever we are doing, the important point is that we are all still in that race, going at our own pace and in our own season.
So can I encourage you, with me, to give Him any pressure or disappointment that has occupied your mind recently. Ask Him to replace it with supernatural peace and restore rest in you.
For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it 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.
Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)
