Being Content with what God has given

^6-8 There is a real profit, of course, but it comes only to those who live contentedly as God would have them live. We brought absolutely nothing with us when we entered the world and we can be sure we shall take absolutely nothing with us when we leave it. Surely then, as far as physical things are concerned, it is sufficient for us to keep our bodies fed and clothed.

^9-10 For men who set their hearts on being wealthy expose themselves to temptation. They fall into one of the world’s traps, and lay themselves open to all sorts of silly and wicked desires, which are quite capable of utterly ruining and destroying their souls. For loving money leads to all kinds of evil, and some men in the struggle to be rich have lost their faith and caused themselves untold agonies of mind.

^11-12 But you, the man of God, keep clear of such things. Set your heart not on riches, but on goodness, Christ-likeness, faith, love, patience and humility. Fight the worthwhile battle of the faith, keep your grip on that life eternal to which you have been called, and to which you boldly professed your loyalty before many witnesses.

I Timothy 6:6-12 Phillips

How to be content in God?

What do I do with these passionate desires within me to be noticed, approved of, respected, esteemed, admired, and dare I say it, worshiped???

What do I do with the longing and desire for love, friendship, community, when it is not happening the way I earnestly wish it was?

I want to be content in Christ and what he has given me but trying to do so by putting a lid on a boiling pot of water and hoping all will be well is courting disaster of a major sort!

Oh, Lord give me the kind of heart to love you and desire you most of all and to be content with the life you have given me, the friends you have given me, the things you have given me to do. Here are all the desires of my heart. You alone are really the one that can soothe, calm, bring peace and contentment within. My part is to be honest and forthcoming with you about what I do desire and not try to deny it or whitewash it and pretend it is something else. 

Why is my life not simple and quiet?

Why do I keep trying to cram all kinds of activities and worthy acts into a schedule and limits of time and energy where they just do not fit?

Isn't it because I am trying to make myself feel better?

that I am worthwhile? 

that what I do is worthwhile?

that I am a kind and helpful person?

to try to establish something about my character that I want to believe is true? 

But then I am harried, rushed, anxious, uptight, grumpy and very easily frustrated by anything or anyone who, without meaning to, interrupts these demands on time and energy that are stretched to the breaking point like an old brittle rubber band pulled way too far out. 

In seeking to love others, especially those I live with and interact with frequently, there must be time and energy to focus and interact with them, time and energy to hear their needs and be responsive to them, time and energy to be courteous, kind, polite, helpful.  Love is patient and is kind. I Corinthians 13:4 NIV

this cannot occur when I am frazzled and impatient and frustrated and anxious. 

To be in a relationship with anyone means needs, interruptions, opportunities to connect on someone else's timetable not mine.

this all takes time and availability

it requires a life that has margins and flexibility to adjust to another

I cannot do this if I am being driven along by my own desires, expectations, etc.

The key is for me to be content. But how?

to pour out all my heart and all my desires, the good, the bad and the ugly

to Him who alone is able to take all that burning desire a

and pour in his cool and soothing peace and fill me with his love. 

I am his child.

I am a part of his body.

He has made me a part.

Find my identity and value there.

In Him and what He has done and is doing.

I am loved, not because of any character in me, any traits or talents I have

or anything I can do or not do.

I am loved because He IS LOVE.

and he loves me

right here in the middle of my mess and my desires and my struggles.

He wants to set me on a firm foundation that cannot be shaken.

I am valuable because He has put value on my life, 

whether I feel this or not.

I am loved because He loves me, 

whether I feel this way or not.

He has given me meaningful work to do, 

whether I feel it is so or not.

Let him define this, not me.

Let me be content to do what He has set before me, 

whether big or small in my own estimation.

He has given me this place to serve, these people to love.

Oh Lord let me desire large and wonderful things for you

and be available for all you want

But let me be content when what you ask is small in my eyes

care for this man, be a friend to this woman

take time to listen and give my full attention to you

work towards a space that is clean and orderly

clean some clothes, some dishes

sweep a floor, make a bed

make some food to nourish, strengthen and enjoy

help a child with homework

For this is holy ground you tread.

Zechariah 4:10 NKJV
"For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see,
the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the LORD,
which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth"

You see me
you see this is done out of love for you
and desire to love others

Luke 16:10a

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁰ “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much;

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives, be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous of you. Be happy anyway.
The good you do. may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Matthew 25:40

New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 Henri Nouwen 2/21/14"Human relationships easily become possessive. Our hearts so much desire to be loved that we are inclined to cling to the person who offers us love, affection, friendship, care, or support. Once we have seen or felt a hint of love, we want more of it. That explains why lovers so often bicker with each other. Lovers' quarrels are quarrels between people who want more of each other than they are able or willing to give.
It is very hard for love not to become possessive because our hearts look for perfect love and no human being is capable of that. Only God can offer perfect love. Therefore, the art of loving includes the art of giving one another space. When we invade one another's space and do not allow the other to be his or her own free person, we cause great suffering in our relationships. But when we give another space to move and share our gifts, true intimacy becomes possible."

"Protect me, God, 

because I trust in you.

I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord. 

Every good thing I have comes from you.'

There are godly people in the world. I enjoy them.

But those who turn to idols will have much pain. 

I will not offer blood to those idols.

I won't even speak their names. 

No, the Lord is all I need. 

He takes care of me. 

My share in life has been pleasant. 

My part has been beautiful.

I praise the Lord because he guides me.

even at night, I feel his leading. 

I keep the Lord before me always. 

because he is close by my side.

I will not be hurt. 

So, I rejoice and I am glad. 

Even my body has hope. 

This is because you will not leave me in the grave. 

You will not let your holy one rot.

You will teach me God's way to live.

Being with you will fill me with joy. 

At your right hand I will find pleasure forever. 

Psalm 16 International Children's Bible

linking today with Emily Wierenga at

http://www.emilywierenga.com/mops-response-bad-mother-movement/

Unbreakable

2 Timothy 1:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

^" For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

2 Timothy 1:7 The Message

"God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible."

Faith is a living, well-founded confidence in the grace of God, so perfectly certain that it would die a thousand deaths rather than surrender its conviction. Such confidence and personal knowledge of divine grace makes its possessor joyful, bold and full of warm affection toward God and all created things - all of which the Holy Spirit works in faith. Hence such a man becomes without constraint willing and eager to do good to everyone , to serve everyone, to suffer all manner of ills, in order to please and glorify God, who has shown toward him such grace. 

Great Voices of the Reformation: An Anthology Martin Luther, quoted in Harry Emerson Fosdick, ed., (New York: Modern Library, 1954), 121-22.

 Oh Lord, 

may we be enabled by your Spirit to live in your grace

 to not live in fear and shame and trepidation

 but in confidence and boldness 

not that we will get what we want, 

 but that we are yours by the work of Jesus Christ

not that we might not suffer loss, humiliation, defeat, disappointment or confusion,

 but that we might not shrink back from what you are calling us to

not that we are confident in ourselves,

 but in you 

 and what you are making us to be, 

 by your power to transform, change, resurrect and create anew

 right here, right now, where I am and who I am with

Let your seed take root and grow in me

1 Peter 1:22-25

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

²² You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. So you have an honest and true love for your brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply, from the heart.

²³ You have been born again by means of the living word of God. His word lasts forever. You were not born again from a seed that will die. You were born from a seed that can’t die. ²⁴ It is written,

“All people are like grass.
    All of their glory is like the flowers in the field.
The grass dries up. The flowers fall to the ground.
²⁵     But the word of the Lord stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:6–8)

And that word was preached to you.

  Henri Nouwen: How do we work for reconciliation? First and foremost by claiming for ourselves that God through Christ has reconciled us to God. It is not enough to believe this with our heads. We have to let the truth of this reconciliation permeate every part of our beings. As long as we are not fully and thoroughly convinced that we have been reconciled with God, that we are forgiven, that we have received new hearts, new spirits, new eyes to see, and new ears to hear, we continue to create divisions among people because we expect from them a healing power they do not possess.

Only when we fully trust that we belong to God and can find in our relationship with God all that we need for our minds, hearts, and souls, can we be truly free in this world and be ministers of reconciliation. This is not easy; we readily fall back into self-doubt and self-rejection. We need to be constantly reminded through God's Word, the sacraments, and the love of our neighbours that we are indeed reconciled.

"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge."
Proverbs 14:26KJV

"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." Proverbs 14:27 KJV

Proverbs 14:26

Living Bible (TLB)

²⁶ Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security.      (man or woman)

Proverbs 14:27

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

²⁷ Respect for the Lord gives true life and will save you from death’s trap.

Hoping In God

This is such a wonderful and beautiful expression of hoping in God! May it bless! 

 "A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him." (Isaiah11:1-2).

These words from last night's liturgy have stayed with me during the day. Our salvation comes from something small, tender, and vulnerable, something hardly noticeable. God, who is the Creator of the Universe, comes to us in smallness, weakness, and hiddenness.

I find this a hopeful message. Somehow, I keep expecting loud and impressive events to convince me and others of God's saving power; but over and over again I am reminded that spectacles, power plays, and big events are the ways of the world. Our temptation is to be distracted by them and made blind to the "shoot that shall sprout from the stump."

When I have no eyes for the small signs of God's presence - the smile of a baby, the carefree play of children, the words of encouragement and gestures of love offered by friends - I will always remain tempted to despair.

The small child of Bethlehem, the unknown young man of Nazareth, the rejected preacher, the naked man on the cross, he asks for my full attention. The work of our salvation takes place in the midst of a world that continues to shout, scream, and overwhelm us with its claims and promises. But the promise is hidden in the shoot that sprouts from the stump, a shoot that hardly anyone notices."

Henry Nouwen

Zechariah 4:8-10

"After that, the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!”

Going back to the vision, the Messenger-Angel said, “The seven lamps are the eyes of God probing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.”

What is a Life of significance?

Linking with Where a Woman Finds Her Voice at http://joannfore.com/voice-bloggers/on the topic of healthy relationships/community. I believe God is teaching me the way to be able to enter into true community is to really see myself and my life as valuable in Him, regardless of all else. I believe this is a key to healthy relationships: to see and treat each other with the dignity and respect that God gives to each person.

Also linking with Bonnie Gray at http://www.faithbarista.com/2013/12/my-real-birthday-gift-giving-myself-permission-to-receive/
I am desiring to let the truth of what God says completely reorient and transform from the inside so I can receive freely from him and others. And then share what God has given to me without clinging to what I want in return.  "Freely you have received, freely give"

Linking also with Emily Wierenga at: http://www.emilywierenga.com/2013/12/the-day-jesus-gave-me-new-name-and.html  Her post is wonderful on this same idea. :)

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
2. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

The Message (MSG)

The Way of Love

13 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

² If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

^3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

A life of significance

What makes a life meaningful and significant?

What is time well spent?

How do I leave a lasting and meaningful legacy
for when my life is over and done?

Thank you Lord, thank you

I hear you in this passage

Yes, you tell me plainly,  even painfully 

all my so called great accomplishments

acts of devotion and service

sharing of wisdom and experience

are nothing 

without you and your love

no matter what I say
without love it is nothing

worse than nothing

a harsh, grating sound

bringing no pleasure to anyone

not helpful at all

no matter what gifts I have

or how much faith I have

without love

I am nothing at all

it will leave nothing lasting behind

bring no deep transformative change to anyone

no matter how sacrificial I try to be

no matter what I try to give up

no matter what I try to endure

for the sake of others

without your love in it

I have accomplished nothing of true lasting value

without your love in it

these verses seem so harsh,
cutting down so much of what I look to to feel good about myself
and what I have done,
what gifts God has given,
what actions or sacrifices I have tried to make

but there is something so incredibly beautiful and powerful here

If this is true...
then the the other side of the coin must also be true...

When I speak, haltingly, in simple words that could easily be despised by anyone, 

including myself

 for their lack of eloquence, grace, wisdom etc.

If I speak or act in love, whether impressive or knowledgeable 

by anyone's estimation or not

If I am filled with your love

and it moves me to speak or act

what I believe to be your words or actions

your thoughts and way

instead of mine

this is significant

whether it seems so to me

or to whom I am speaking

or to any one at all

whether I feel good or bad about it

whether it seems to make any difference or not

The measure you give us:

is it done in love?

your love

that does not run out

that does not get irritated 

or envious

that is not motivated by the object at all

or what kind of response I may or may not 

get in return

because love is your essential nature

it defines who you are

and everything you do or say

You cause the sun to shine and 

the rain to fall 

on the evil and the good

because that is who you are

"This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty." Matthew 5:45 The Message

You do not love because you will be loved in return

or someone will understand you

or someone will appreciate you

or you believe you will get desirable results

You can enable me to love

anyone

anywhere

anyhow

no matter what I think,

you count this as lasting and significant

So, as I sit here struggling 

I couldn't impress anyone if I tried

Whether those closest to me understand or appreciate me

whether my children rise up to respect

love and appreciate me

or they don't

whether anyone in my neighborhood 

or at my church 

thinks I am _____________ :)
or thinks I am____________ :(

You

are saying:

this is significant

this is lasting

this is meaningful

this will bear lasting fruit

whether you see it 

or understand it 

or not 

right now

because you have done it

unto me

"The King will reply, 'Truly, I tell you,
whatever you did
for one
of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.'"
Matthew 25:40NIV

"His master said to him,
 'Well done good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful over a little;
I will set you over much.
Enter into the joy of your Master.'"
Matthew 25:23 ESV

"...The LORD does not look at
the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance,
but the LORD
looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

"For the eyes of the LORD run

to and fro

throughout the whole earth

to show himself strong 

on behalf of those

whose heart is loyal

to Him..."

II Chronicles 16:9 NKJV

none of us have this heart...

"Create in me a clean heart O God.
 Renew a loyal spirit
within me."
Psalm 51:10 
The Living Bible

but we can cry out to God to do His work within 

to do and give us what we cannot

to give us Joy In You

whether we feel meaningful, significant,

beloved, helpful 

or otherwise

"Though the fig tree 

should not blossom,

And there be no fruit on the vines

Though the yield of the olive shall fail

And the fields produce no food

Though the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no cattle in the stalls,

Yet, I will exult in the LORD.

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength.

And he has made my feet like hinds feet.

and makes me walk in my high places."

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV

 a gentle pushing back...

for some of us right now

who truly do not have the strength, time or energy to

do what most wouldconsider beautiful and meaningful

 I would love to 

bake with my children

prepare gifts for others

travel to _________

 give _________ to ____________
but really am not able to at this time...

For those who are looking for work

not because the are looking for a career 

that is meaningful and significant

but because the family needs to eat

who may truly need to take a job they do not even like

because the family needs to eat

some of the wonderful and beautiful encouragements 

to find your passion

to those whom there is no one else to hand the baby off to,

to go and ___________

some of these encouragements can, without meaning to

place a burden on the heart

undermine 

without meaning to
the value God places
in the hidden, unseen, mundane, 
even the trivial and tedious
done in love for Him

for those who cannot do beautiful craft projects

who can barely keep the children clean and well - fed

whose passion is to have just one night of undisturbed sleep

God sees you

God values you

God can make what you are doing so significant

For those who are shut in caring for the shut in

For those whose health has boxed them in

and put so much out of reach 

For those for whom the care of family 

takes nearly all available resource

God sees you

God values you

God knows what you are doing

out of love for Him

For those who experience severe limitation

in body, soul, mind, spirit

God is not limited to work in you

and through you

to shine His Glory

to fill you 

and use you

for unspeakable 

unimaginable 

good

Oh Lord,
You who have experienced all we do
you who are not a high priest who 
cannot be touched with all the feelings of our infirmity
you know severe pain, loss, grief,
 limitation
death

You who Paul, could say with confidence
I know how to abound and I know how to suffer
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Help us to not close our hearts to whatever you call us to
whether it be our wildest dreams come true
or the hardest challenge we have ever faced.
Help us to find our joy in you 
and remain there through 
the heights and depths this life 
has to offer

Help us to live in your love
to fully believe and receive your love
in the midst of our exhilarations
our joys, our sorrows
our depletion
our confusion 
our disappointment

Help me to love you 
more than all else 
and know your love
that
abides 
through all else

"we love you because you have first loved us"
I John 4 :10