Embracing The Moment

There is such raw and genuine beauty found in the simplicity of the moment. A real encounter with the God who so deeply desires a relationship with us. I sit here on the beach at Panama City as I gaze into the depths of the ocean and admire the rays of sunshine and I ponder the richness of Christ’s love. His wild, unyielding, and steadfast love for His beloved. I’ve been reading the book “Get out of your head” && boy has it been good. In the book there was an activity where you choose a word to describe how you are feeling in the moment, and to be honest I chose discontent. I listed each reason as to why I was discontent and then I felt so convicted because all of the reasons were worldly. I realized that my faith in Christ was not even apparent. I was quickly reminded of Philippians 4:11-13. It says, “11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Christ is the key to contentment. Satan is going to try his hardest to make us unhappy and discontent, but Jesus reminds us that we will always be discontent if we are looking for satisfaction from the world. There is a deep rooted fulfillment that can only be found in Jesus. Experiencing this satisfaction requires coming to Him and being real with Him. He wants us to come to Him and get away with Him so He can speak, but we must be still. Along with that is being content with where God has us because there is purpose in your season. I was reading the book of 1 Samuel and in it King Saul deceives a fortune teller into raising Samuel from the dead. Once she did, Samuel told Saul that himself and his children would be killed and that the Philistines would defeat Israel. Saul was instantly paralyzed by fear. In the same way, I feel like God doesn’t tell us the future because He knows that if He did we would be terrified to take the next step. He goes before us and leads us every step of the way as we depend on Him for guidance and provision. Psalm 23 speaks of the Lord being our Shepherd and how in Him we lack nothing. What an encouragement that is to our souls. We can be content in the current moment because God is working out the future and we don’t have to worry. We can live lives of freedom, abundance, and true joy that is only possible through Jesus. He has you, He is for you, and He is madly in love with you. Every moment is a pure gift. This life is short, but God is eternal. This world seems fulfilling, but God offers lasting satisfaction. This world encourages self obsession, but God encourages humility and servitude. This world conceals brokenness, but God embraces vulnerability. This world encourages perfection, but God fully loves every flaw and imperfection. This world takes, but God gives. This world hurts, but God heals. This world corrupts, but God restores. This world steals us away from our Father, but our God redeems His beloved children (Isaiah 43). Where are you at this moment? Have you tried asking God what He is trying to teach you in this season? Friend, I encourage you to rejoice with where God has you because He is WITH you. He will never leave you. He will keep fighting for you, passionately pursuing you, and wildly loving you because you belong to Him. You are chosen. You are a child of God.