THE NOSEY NEIGHBOR~Caught Waiting

CAUGHT IN PROVIDENCE~June 1, 2020

It is undeniable that “You can't always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes, you might find you get what you need.” A song composed to end a time of frustration and disillusion some fifty years ago by its author.

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As you encounter bare shelves, it is obvious we can’t always get what we want. This pandemic has brought about an end or temporary end to the era of endless choice.

Okay, so I might not have Extra Creamy but I have the crunchy. Do we really need so many choices? Perhaps we are rediscovering the appeal of out-of-flavor brands and trying new things.

Oh, the joy of discovery that there sitting on the empty shelf was the last package.

Regardless, if we have to do without for a time that’s alright.

Blooms are seasonal, and the right season is right now.

The apostle Paul was content to do without and wait on God’s timing.

How am I aligning my heart with God today when feeling melancholic? Being stuck at home for long gets to the best of us and now imposed curfews. Makes the hours longer.

Our pastor shares, “Contentment can only be found through trust in God’s providence:

Until we truly learn that God is sovereign, ordering everything for His own holy purposes and the ultimate good of those who love Him, we can’t help but be discontent. That’s because in taking on the responsibility of ordering our lives, we will be frustrated in repeatedly discovering that we can’t control everything. Everything already is under control, however, by Someone far greater than you or I.

A synonym for God’s providence is divine provision, but that’s a skimpy label for a complex theological reality. Providence is how God orchestrates everything to accomplish His purposes.

Paul saw God’s fingerprints everywhere and was unswayed by the vagaries of life. He saw God’s providential purposes in every situation no matter how adverse they were. His imprisonment “turned out for the greater progress of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). Suffering was an opportunity for profound fellowship with Christ (Philippians 3:10). Even death represented the greatest personal gain as he would “depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23). In Paul’s economy there was nothing in this world that held any real value compared to “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8).

STILL WAITING

“Work as hard as you can and be content that God is in control of the results.”

I don’t understand God’s plan and right now that plan seems so chaotic. It’s just like God shaking the foundations of Paul's prison so violently that his chains fell off and the doors flew open.