Qik - Finding peace and blessing in your life
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 8:38AM Over the last few days I have been speaking with many friends and colleagues who have expressed a similar concern - the concern is whether they are spending their lives for something truly worthwhile! The notion of 'gain' seems to be central to so much of contemporary life, whether it is material gain (wealth), or social gain (power and acclaim), or whether it is things such a love and peace... We all seem to apply our talents, energy, and abilities in order to gain something for ourselves and others...
1 Tim 6.6 says that "Godliness with contentment is of great gain". This verse has resonated within my mind for some time - I have it set as a calendar reminder for a Thursday morning! It reminds me when the week is almost done and I am feeling a little tired and worn out, yet the tasks of the week seem no closer to completion, that there is something worthwhile that I can ask myself - has this week been an attempt at growing in Godliness, and and can I find contentment in the context and situation withing which God has placed me? If the answer to those two questions is 'yes', then I can say that I have made a gain that cannot be compared to mere wealth, acclaim, or hedonistic pleasure...
The little video above discusses my thoughts on this concept, and the concept of 'work as worship' (in relation to Col 3.23-24).
I'd love to hear your thoughts, insights and feedback!
Reader Comments (2)
Hey Brother D, thanks so much for the words of encouragement. Your words speak right into my situation. I have been pondering this question a lot as I have worked all around the world this year, knowing that God has placed me exactly where I have needed to be for that time, even though sometimes i have desired to be in other places, doing different things, that to me are 'more' significant. I have come to understand that this time for me is a time of preparation, however there is an underlying tension in my spirit that I beleive is associated with my calling. As people wrestle with this, I always say to them, be and do what makes you fully ALIVE - "The glory of God is a man fully alive" in the same vein John Piper says: God is most satisfied in us when we are most satisfied in him. For those who are struggling to be where God has you, maybe this is a time of testing- to "do what ever you do, to the glory of God" or maybe its to take you through the waters to get you to dry land. I hope you are well D, been thinking and praying for you and the fam a lot lately. be blessed Steve
Hey S!
Thanks so much for the comment! What a brilliant quote. I understand the tension that arises from wishing for something more... Of course the reality is that for some persons there is a need to begin to work towards that which we know God is calling us to. The trick is not to loose sight of what we already have while we plan for the next step! The present context, and the people we have around us at this moment, are all so important to God! They are too important to simply 'look past' in order to find a different future.
Of course the converse is also true... Some people give up on their calling because they don't give enough energy and input towards reaching it.
I suppose it is a delicate balance in the end!
We are well! Missing you guys!
Be blessed!
Dion