As we mature in Christ, we will let go of our will, more and more. This is the whole point to growing up. For instance, instead of wanting to give someone a piece of my mind when they offend me, I will choose to forgive and treat them with love and respect anyway. That is what God Wills for us humans, and He shows us this desire by treating us the same exact way. So as we grow, we will want to follow His Plan more than we will want to follow our old ways and, as a result, we will experience more of the Abundant Life. This Abundant Life is one filled to the overflow with peace and joy. It is one oozing with the Fruit of the Spirit. And it is one that warmly wraps us up with incredible contentment.
Contentment. This is where my heart has been, for the most part, since God released me from that dead root of guilt. I trust Him, whatever happens, whenever it happens, if it even happens, or however life happens…are you getting me? I can trust God because He loves me. I know He will not allow anything to happen that would completely destroy me. I know that, with Him, I can endure all things because He will strengthen me. (see Php 4:12-13) The secret Paul is talking about in these verses is contentment.
If God resolves my problems, awesome. But if He chooses, in His Omniscience, to not change the issues, I’m ok. That doesn’t mean I like the problem, but I am choosing to trust God in spite of it. This is the sweet balance of a contented life, to live in the middle of: Even If…Even Now. “Even if” God changes nothing, I will choose to remain content and live my life with Him, loving Him and others as much as my level of maturity allows. But “even now,” I know God can change any and every circumstance for His Glory.
Contentment takes away the problem at the core of every human heart. It began in the Garden of Eden and will, sadly, continue to be a reality in this world until Jesus returns. Do you know what it is? I alluded to it all week, let’s look at it tomorrow…
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
<>< Peace, Diane
