After God's Own HeartSample

CONTENTMENT AND PATIENCE

I remember a time near the end of college when I started to ask myself “What is God’s will for my life?” particularly in what job I should start, the kind of person I should marry, and even where I should move next. Thoughts and questions about the future started to produce anxiety and stress. There were so many unknowns to consider and so many mistakes that could be made. I wanted my life to be devoted to God, I just didn’t know what God wanted me to do in the present moment. Why wouldn’t God simply tell me and then actively guide me? And why would he allow complications and difficulties in my life?

When reading the story of David, I realized that though David’s life is much different than mine, there is a truth that unites our experience: God’s will for our life is not as straightforward as we would like it to be. In 1 Samuel, David is chosen by God to be the future king of Israel, but it will be about 15 years before David is actually crowned. During this time, David is successful in all that he does because God blesses his efforts. However, David’s success makes King Saul jealous and this jealousy gradually develops into greater degrees of violence toward David. While escaping attempts on his life and running from Saul’s army, David endures the confusion of being anointed by God to be Israel’s future king while being under constant attack from Israel’s current king.

When I initially read this, I found it so interesting that David’s path to becoming king seemed so difficult. We feel called to do big things for the Lord, but in the process, we encounter obstacles to our pursuits. We hope to live according to His will, but don’t understand how it fits in with the difficulties, stresses, and everything else going on in our lives.

In these periods of confusion, it is important to trust that God knows what He is doing. Most of the difficult situations we encounter are moments in which we display our faith and trust in Him. It might take many months or years to understand what God is doing in your life. Instead of worrying about what comes next, focus on finding your contentment in God and where He currently has you. This focus on the present moment helps us stay rooted in living out the gospel and loving others well. Then, cultivate an attitude of trust that patiently pursues what God is calling you to do both now and in the future, trusting that He has a plan. When we do this, it enables us to endure seasons of difficulty and points us to a greater hope.

ASK YOURSELF: When I encounter difficulties, am I able to truly trust God and in His plan for my life? Do I find my contentment in Him, or do I look for joy and happiness in other things?