By Judy Villanueva
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)
“Nana! Nana! Are you there?” my little grandson yelled down the hallway during some quiet playtime. “I’m here. You’re ok. Go ahead and play. You are fine.” I replied. He really was fine, but at that moment he needed reassurance that I had not left, he was not alone, and I was…just down the hallway. As I prayed this morning I heard myself echo a similar cry, “Father, are you there? Can You hear me? I feel alone. Are You still with me?”
Dark and narrow hallways must be walked one step at a time and as I look back on various trials, it is clear that God has been with me every step of the way. He has been faithful and I have experienced His strong hand of deliverance over and over again. Why then, when a new trial comes, do I find myself calling out again for reassurance that God is near? There is something about sensing God’s presence and hearing His voice down the hallway that calms my fears and strengthens me to wait…not just endure…but wait in peace and with great expectation.
Paul had learned the secret of contentment in every situation, and his “situations” were far more strenuous than anything I’ve ever encountered! He seemed to live with the reality of “Christ” always at play and brought His presence into every moment! He lived his life with God whether in prison or free, well fed or hungry, in plenty and in want. Jesus was his strength and his place of residing contentment! So, as the sun comes up, I am starting the day a little wobbly but also reminded that through Christ, I can do all things. I can give today to God, be weak, trust hard, and pray. I can watch for Jesus and listen for the sounds of His voice down the hallway that whisper to me, “I am here. You’re ok. Go ahead and live your life. Rest…I am with you.”
“Father, how I need to hear the sounds of You in my life. Your presence is everything I need and I’m not sure why I get nervous and lose hold the reality that You will never leave me, but sometimes I do. Help me today to rest in Your presence and trust in Your love. Amen.”
How about you?
Do you need to hear God’s voice down the hallway today? Do you need reassurance that he is near?
Have you learned the secret of being content in all situations?
Where do you need Christ’s help and strength today?
God is here. Always! He will not leave or forsake you.
How true your words are! I guess that is why God told the Israelites to keep alive the all the stories of great of their salvation history. They were never to forget, His might, His faithfulness, His love during the times of testing that always had to come. I find that when I am tested, when I am afraid that God isn’t near, I have to force myself to remember just like them. I make a conscious act of remembering. When I get going, when I think back to the roads I have traversed and I see in hindsight God’s protection and faithfulness, then I calm down. I can see it as another opportunity to grow in faith. Thanks of the great reminder!!!
Was there ever a time that I didn’t call out to my God? I remember always be told,
even as a little girl, that God is always with me, and knowing this gave me great
comfort……still does. It is especially comforting at this stage of my life……old age.
Old age is fun, freeing, and remarkable but it does come with challenges….challenges that
I never thought of, small ones, medium ones, and even some big ones. I can go
through it all know that God is with me. Whenever I am faced with a challenge
I recite this prayer…..Dear God with You at my side, I can go through anything, and
I am strengthened, I am reassured, I am loved……always have been.
Thank you Judy. I so needed to hear this today to be reminded God knows exactly where I am at in life. He never leaves.
I think you taught us how to trust that we are loved by God and that He is always with us. Thanks for being there for us kids and loving us! I’m still paying attention to how you live life with God…and am still learning so much!