Contentment

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

-Psalm 27:14

Yesterday at work I was filling out a grant application for our non-profit.  As annoying as applications can be (college/jobs/etc), there's something about filling out an application that fills me with hope and excitement.  I love it!  Filling out applications means there's a  chance for change, for new and different experiences.  Newness and change can be so wonderful when the Lord leads my steps.  At the same time, it's a struggle for me not to get caught up in this fantasy "future world," imagining my days at a new job, in grad school, married, raising kids or even just receiving a grant for our work.

I catch myself doing that all the time--- living in the future.  I lose sight of what's happening now, how and where the Lord is working right in my own city and among my own friends and how and where I can get involved in His great plan.  I spend so much time trying to seek His will for my life, rather than simply seeking Him.  In doing so, I lose sight of my purpose here and now.  I want Him to tell me the next 20 years of my life, where I'll live, who I'll marry, how many kids I'll have, what career I'll end up in...  I dream about raising little kiddos near my best friends so that our kids can grow up as best friends too...  I know I sound crazy, but I must confess that so often I'm not content to simply wait for the Lord.  I am so filled with hope and excitement about what is to come that I forget about the joy of living now.

Today, I encourage you to pay attention to your own thoughts.  Do you, as I so often do, dwell on how much better life will be when... or if...? Remember- God's plan for you is perfect and the place He has you in today is His absolute best for you.  Be content and trust in Him.

Be still and know that I am God.

-Psalm 46:10