Daily Delight
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Phil. 3: 8, NIV).
We’ve all got dreams. I’m getting old and I’m starting to lose heart that I’ll ever accomplish my dreams of being a published author. I keep telling myself that God gave me a gift for writing and a creative mind full of ideas for a reason. But maybe that reason is writing about Him instead of authoring books for young adults. And I’m struggling with that. I’m struggling with being content with that.
Contentment is learned. And like patience, it comes through hard lessons.
Paul goes on to say in Philippians 4:11-12: “I am not saying this because I am in need, 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."
Wow. Notice he calls it a secret. My sisters, that right there is the secret of life! Being content in all circumstances. But how?
I mean, I get it. I truly understand that nothing in this world compares to the Gospel and what Jesus did for me. That’s the anchor to hang on in the storms of life. That’s how we get through anything. But getting through something and being content in it are different things. Sure, I can do all things through Christ. Yes, if He brings me to it, He’ll bring me through it. But am I content? If I’m content, I won’t complain.
Yeah. I’m not there yet. I know I’m called not to. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…” (Phil. 2:14-15, NIV).
I can’t shine with discontent in my heart. Maybe I need to let God shape my dreams to fit his will for me, not mine.
*Gulp* That’s the true struggle.
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Photo: @nhinton4
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Stephanie Cardel
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Stephanie Cardel is a wife of thirty years, mother of three grown children, leader of Bible studies, and writer of a blog about Jesus in the Old Testament. She also writes YA and MG fiction and volunteers in her local public schools teaching abstinence.
If you need her, you can dig your way through the overflowing piles of books to her room, where she’ll be curled up with a cup of mocha coffee doing one of three things: studying her Bible, reading fiction, or writing. You can also visit her websites:
www.withopenedeyes.com, www.checkoutthesebooks.com, or follow her on twitter @StephanieCardel or @fixingmyeyes.
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