I love fall in the SCV. Weather changes, I can wake up without already sweating, and I get to wear turtle-necks again. Lately, I have been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes, specifically chapter 3, and it got me thinking. It seems like we are always waiting for that next major step in life. When we are in high school, we can’t wait to drive. Once we drive, we look forward to graduation and college. College brings a desire for a “real” job, marriage, children, and the list goes on and on. To some extent, the desire for what comes next can be a good thing. But we all know that there is a fine line between looking forward to something and being discontent with where the Lord has us for the moment.
Don’t worry; the rest of this post isn’t about how you should just be content with where God has you for the moment. Well, it is and it isn’t. Of course you should be content with where God has you, and that goes without saying. Sometimes though, it can be hard to get from what we know to what we should be doing. After all, how do you just decide one day to be happy with where you are, and what does this have to do with Ecclesiastes 3?
I happen to be at a point in my life where I can look back on some of the things that a lot of people look forward to. I can drive, I have a degree and a job, and I have been blessed with marriage and children. I also know that even after you reach these things, there will always be something else. For me, that next big thing was finishing seminary. I couldn’t wait to be out of class and into “real” ministry. However, I have had to put school on hold for now. Suddenly, contentment with working toward a goal turned into questioning why I was so close and not allowed to finish.
The point is that contentment comes from doing what God has called you to do in whatever circumstance you find yourself in. As a single person, my role was to develop my spiritual gifting and be a productive member of the body. When I got married, my role expanded to being a shepherd of my wife. As a father with an ever filling quiver, my role is now to lead my children in their spiritual development. One of the best things that I heard regarding children was that arrows must be given direction. If I do not take an active role in my kid’s development, they will be like arrows aimed at nothing. And now, my role includes all of those things plus a full time job. When I questioned why I was being held out of ministry, I neglected the fact that I was already in ministry. I am to have an active and vibrant ministry toward my wife and my children. I am to pour every bit of spiritual gifting that I have into the body that Christ died for. And that is what every believer is called to do.
Discontent comes from losing perspective. Every stage in life comes with opportunities and constraints. Look for the opportunities that are yours now. God does not wait to equip you until you are graduated, working, married, or a parent. God has granted every member of the body the ability to function well. My encouragement to you when you feel like your life is just static, just waiting for something to happen before you can be complete, is to read through Romans 12. Right thinking is the recognition that you have a role to play…. right now. At this moment, you can be used. Pray. Get involved. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised at how God opens doors for you to have an impact; every season has a purpose.
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