Finding Joy in the Journey
Where are you today? Sitting in a classroom staring at the clock on the wall, praying time would just move a little faster? Or, are you at work thinking of the to-do list for the week? Are you daydreaming about graduation, your wedding day or getting settled in a job or house? Wherever you are in your journey, are you restless, discontent with where you are, or in need of a little perspective?
Let me start by saying this – we’ve all been there. Also, let me encourage you by saying that where you’re at, whatever you’re struggling with, it’s for such a specific reason. So, don’t wish it away. Don’t go through the motions and just get through it. God wants us to thrive. He wants us to truly live and surrender all of our struggles and broken hearts for His joy and strength. We have a Savior who promises us that He has a plan for us, and that He will work all things for the good of those who love Him.
We have a Savior who promises us that He has a plan for us, and that He will work all things for the good of those who love Him.
I did a study on the book of Esther, and I wrote a quote from it in my bible. The words spoke to me so much, as I felt like I was in an in-between season of my life. It was as though I was just getting by, and all my focus was on getting to the next season. I was missing what God was doing in the present. “Where you are right now – where God has placed you in each moment- that is your kingdom. That very place is the piece of God’s kingdom that he has entrusted to you whether you believe your kingdom is substantial or completely irrelevant, it is still yours and it is still his. You are his. He has brought you here on your journey for such a time as this.” SRT
Our life is a journey. It’s a story of all the ups, downs and seasons we go through. Sometimes, were in stinky seasons of life. We find ourselves longing to get to the season when were financially secure or working our dream job. But, God wants to move in those stinky seasons of life – when we feel like were dragging our feet through the mud with every step. He wants to work during those days when we just don’t feel like getting out of bed. He wants to change our hearts and thoughts from being negative, to being thankful. When we’re thankful and content with where we are, and what God has given us, we will have joy.
Paul tells us in Philippians, “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know 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.”
I know many of us have heard Philippians 4:13 one million times, but have you ever taken the time to read it in context? Paul is telling us that through the strength Christ pours over us, we can find contentment in all circumstances. Did you hear that? Christ wants us to be at peace. He doesn’t want us restless and discontent, wishing away whatever season of life He has us in. He wants us to be joyful and at rest with where we are. Knowing that whatever comes our way, we can handle it with Him by our side. He will give us the strength to live through any and every circumstance.
So instead of wishing away this season, ask the Lord to use you and shape you through the stinky seasons. Life isn’t always going to be good. We’re going to go through trials and just flat out hard stuff, but with Christ, we can still have joy. Through His strength we can find contentment and be at peace in any situation we are in. Friends, I encourage you today to lay down whatever it is that is stealing your joy. And keep laying it down. Don’t wish away where you are, embrace it instead. Dive in headfirst knowing that you have a savior who is working all things for your good. Thank him for this season, believing and knowing that He is using this to strengthen your faith and endurance. We always have the promise of knowing His plans are good.
