Terri's Wellspring

How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For, I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:10-13 NLT

Content (adjective) satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

Most people strive to find contentment with what they have or who they are by working to get more of what they think will make them happy. It often involves more money, more assets or more power or influence over others. Sadly, it may be a deep desire for both. We see examples in the media daily of people who have reached “success” by society’s standard and have a disturbing lack of peace and contentment.

Paul describes a contentment that comes from within. It doesn’t matter where he is or what he has or doesn’t have, he has learned to be satisfied. It seems rare to find this trait in people today. There seems to be an insatiable appetite for more things, more attention and more power in this world. Paul shares with us two keys: 1) that He learned this behavior and 2) that his relationship with Christ empowers with the strength to do all things. I imagine that Paul’s journey allowed him to experience things where he arrived at a deep knowing in his heart and mind that the Lord ordered his steps. And each step of the journey was empowered with strength and the provision to make it to where God was leading. We can be thankful today that this level of contentment is available to each of us today. We can arrive there, at any point along our journey, knowing that our Heavenly Father is faithful to each of His promises.

I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess-happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me-it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. Philippians 4:10-13 (Message)

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:38-40

One of my favorite storytellers is Bailey White. She is a gifted Southern writer who speaks with a raspy distinctive voice. She told a story about living with her mother during a warm summer night in Georgia. Her mother often opted to sleep out of the porch during these hot nights to keep cool. This particular night while Bailey was sleeping she realized that a thunderstorm had arrived complete with high winds, lightening and rain. She jumped into action knowing that her mother had planned to sleep outside. When she reached the porch door she saw the storm’s fury with rain and wind. And then she saw her mother, who was lying motionless on the couch on the porch. She called her name as she feared that her mother was frozen in fear and unable to move in the midst of the high winds. As she approached her mother, she heard a familiar but perplexing sound, her mother’s snore. Her mother was not gripped with fear; instead, was sound asleep, complete with snoring, in the middle of the storm. She awakened her mother to let her know about the storm. At that point, the Mother reassured her daughter that it was just a storm that would pass.

It was a powerful reminder of the ability to be confident and peaceful even during the natural and figurative storms of our lives. No doubt her mother’s decades of living had nurtured her faith to realize that our lives have cycles of storms that both come and go. We can choose to be fearful or we can select a path of peace that is rooted in our firm belief that our Father is still control and that he will never leave us nor forsake us. The familiar passage of scripture tells a similar story of the disciples crossing the lake to the other side when a storm arises that seems to threaten their lives. We have heard before about how the disciples awaken Jesus who was sound asleep in the bottom of the ship. He awakens and commands the waves to be still but also asks the Disciples about their faith. It is a compelling story about the ability to have peace, rest and faith during a storm. Whatever we are facing today, we can stand in faith that our God is in control, providing protection and grace to allow us to reach our destination safely.

“Be still, and know that I am God! 

I will be honored by every nation.

 I will be honored throughout the world.” 

 Psalm 46:10

Creating stillness in your life requires some effort. The world is intent on movement, speed and at a minimum a lot of busyness. All kinds of commitments pull on our time, our resources and our thinking. I imagine a place of stillness as a space where we are focused yet relaxed in the current moment of quietness. It is quiet space where your body and mind are at a state of rest, having full confidence in the God we serve. This is a place of peace, a place of trust and faith in our Father.

Quédense quietos, reconozcan que yo soy Dios.
¡Yo seré exaltado entre las naciones!
¡Yo seré enaltecido en la tierra!