A Moment With Pastor Fred

Contentment. That elusive quality. Here is a quote by Elisabeth Elliot that speaks volumes:

“There is no perfect life, no perfect job, no perfect childhood, nor perfect marriage and no perfect set of people who will always do what we expect them to do. What we do have is a perfect God who is able to lead us through this imperfect life with unfailing strength, incomparable wisdom and infinite love.”

How many times have we misread God’s providence in the dark and groaned with the patriarch, “All these things are against me,” only to be shown in time that God is truly working all things for our good? Joni Tada has well said, “God permits what he hates to accomplish what he loves.”

I love the quote from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is a conversation between Gandalf and Frodo. “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

The Bible tells us what we’re to do with such time. It is a waste of time to ask “why is this happening?” What we must ask is “How can I glorify God now?” I read of a prayer recently that said, “Forgive me for whining about what I don’t have, reaching for what I don’t need, and under-believing what is already mine.”

Loving God, help me to trust that you know what’s best for me and may I be content with that. Amen.