Earlier this week, the Holy Spirit called me out on my inability to be content. He brought to mind 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." Paul learned to be content in all circumstances. I struggle with being content. Currently, I am struggling with my job and my wardrobe. I am constantly looking to replace my part-time job with a funner job, a "better" job, etc. My most recent application was to a fabric store in Chatham. With my rekindled relationship with my sewing machine, I figure it will be a fun job. I would learn more about sewing while selling fabric. It would be much more fun than washing dishes at the restaurant I am currently at.
When it comes to clothing, I'm always thinking about another garment that I would like/need. Am I in dire need of this new garment that is on my mind? No. I also don't spend hrs thinking about and fantasizing/idolizing about the garment in question. I'm simply thinking about another item that I would like to have.
I told hubby about what God had been teaching me. We discussed it for a few minutes. One of the things hubby said was not to worry about taking things out of my life. I should simply follow after God and spend more time with Him. I spent the next day thinking about that. He reminded me that the more you seek after Jesus and spend more time with the Holy Spirit, the less you want the things of the world. How right he is. He shared how he is getting closer to God and how the things of this world that he loves, like video games, no longer matter as much. Again, thrilled for him. Watching my hubby grow in his faith is a beautiful gift from God. His relationship with God has nothing to do with me of course, but I am privileged to have a front-row seat to watching him grow and that is pretty special.
The next day, I was thinking about the things in my life that I could continue to get rid of to spend more time with Jesus. Good things. Like learning Sign Language and other such things. I was unknowingly trying to make my relationship with God look like my husband's relationship with God.
Then I was visiting with a new coworker who is also a believer. We don't work together often, but when we do, the Holy Spirit blesses us both, and I love it. She shared how God is helping her and her hubby to make sure that they both have their relationship with God and of course one with God as a couple. Their recent default relationship with God has been their joined relationship and needed to cultivate their relationships as well.
After our visit, I was thinking about what hubby and I talked about and making our relationships with God look the same. The Holy Spirit reminded me of a book called, "Jesus + Nothing= Everything." Hubby and I read it in Bible College in a class about spiritual formation. My biggest takeaway from that class and the book was that I wasn't allowed to want things on earth. At the time I was saving up for an iPad. The course made me feel very guilty for wanting an iPad. So much so that I contemplated not buying one. I did in the end.
Anyway, the Holy Spirit brought that memory to mind to encourage and remind me that my relationship with God doesn't have to look like my husband's relationship with God and that He calls us and leads/directs us all in different ways. He may call my husband to give something up but not do the same for me. The Holy Spirit just brought this principle to mind, do not compare yourself to others. Galatians 6:4-5, "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load." We are called to focus on our own work and not compare ourselves to others. Comparison is certainly a topic that I struggle with and am sure many others do too.
It has been a big week with lessons on being content and not comparing myself to others. When Holy Spirit first put it on my heart to write about being content I spent a few days thinking about it before I had a chance to sit down and start journaling. Then He gave me the second message about comparing my husband's and my relationships with God and how there is no need. At first when He gave me the second message I wasn't sure how they were going to combine and if it would flow nicely on paper. Guess I should have known that He had it all mapped out and all I had to do was let Him speak through my pen and then through my fingertips on the keyboard.
Be content, and don't compare yourself to others.
Have a blessed evening my friend. Thank you for taking the time to read what God has put on my heart to share.
I pray this post blesses, encourages, teaches and reminds you just how good our God is.
God Bless
~Hannah
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