Unashamed and Freely Content

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" Romans 1:16a. 

I have no idea where to even start with my thoughts today. 

I am so overwhelmed with the loving kindness of the Lord lately. 

I cannot even articulate just how thankful I am for His sweet mercy and provision for us. 

I have found so much joy in meditating on all that I have in Christ, as a Believer found in this verse and these lyrics to an incredible song, that has proven to be my anthem these days:

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

2 Peter 1:3-4 

"For freedom You set me free/ And yes, I am free indeed/ You rewrote my name/ And unshackled my shame/ You opened my eyes to see/ I am free!" 

Liberty, By Shane and Shane

Just a week ago I wrote about how I desired to be content. I wrote about how I felt a lacking in my life and longed to see the Lord fulfill that unanswered prayer. Longing to see Him give us a good gift; another child. What I found is that the art of being content is both a journey and a secret.  

    "...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

(Philippians 4:11-13 ESV) 

 Well right after I wrote that post I found out I was pregnant. Days after that I found out my HCG levels were very low and not increasing as they should and that we would probably miscarry, again. A few days after that we did miscarry. And all this just days after my heart had been meditating on contentment God called us to walk through yet another miscarriage. 

Now, here we stand and I am saying, un-ashamedly so that it is the power of the gospel that I am even able to stand. Who wants to keep on suffering and walking in a trial? NO ONE! Who wants to see a good, god-given longing/ prayer left un-answered....NO ONE! But who wants to face those trials without a saving relationship and knowledge of the ONLY source of real comfort and joy that there is in this world? The answer should be, NO ONE!

I am actually happy to suffer in this trial because I have this new "platform" to share the hope I have in Christ. I have a new opportunity to bring God more glory with my life through this suffering!! 

Now, of course I wouldn't have written this into the story of my life. But thank goodness I am not the author of my life. Someone greater is and thankfully He sees the "big picture" of my life and I am just expected to do the best with the opportunities (Col. 4:2-6, Eph. 5:16) I have to glorify Him. 

"let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12;2

 Given this opportunity I feel compelled to tell you that the "storms" of life are coming. And the "sea billows will roll". You will be swept up with the tide. You will be rocked by wave after wave and it will be unbearable. (Psalm 107:23-27). I am not telling you this to scare you, but just to be honest.  The very best thing I can tell you is what we find out from the Psalmist right after this awful picture of life in the world: 

   " Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
        and he delivered them from their distress.
    He made the storm be still,
        and the waves of the sea were hushed.
    Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
        and he brought them to their desired haven."
(Psalm 107:28-30 ESV)

Only God can bring you to your "desired haven". Your desired haven is NOT the answer to your prayer either. Your desired haven is actually HEAVEN! An ETERNITY in paradise with the Lord. No more suffering, no more pain, no more waves to swallow you. Much greater joy found than in the actual answer of your prayer or removal of your suffering!! 

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

2 Cor. 4:16-18 

So my prayer for you is that you would contemplate "things unseen". That you would consider the state of your soul. Are you being tossed around by the waves of this world? Are you unsure what will happen or where you will go when you die. There is 100% assurance when you repent of your sin and run to the forgiving arms of Jesus. The answer to your prayers for help in the midst of the flood have already been answered and His name is Christ. HE died for you even before you knew you needed saving. He will quiet and calm the storms because He is the author of your life. He knows each storm and offers you a desired haven that is beyond any thing you could imagine! 

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

^"16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
2 Cor. 3:16-17 

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll: Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul." 

Horatio Gates Spafford