I’m joyful until my eyes linger on something or someone “better.” Then what used to satisfy now seems…unsatisfactory. And my heart wants to whine a little for that greener grass. But the only real difference in that whiny moment is my gaze.
It’s our gaze. If we stare too long at the thing or the situation or the person that we don’t have, discontentment for where He has us starts to surface. And if we don’t catch it in time, we climb the fence to where we think greener pastures grow, only to find that just as many weeds come up through the cracks on that other sidewalk.
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He has us here — now — with reason. Because He moves purposefully in the lives of His children. Even in the seasons where the grass under our feet lies dry and seemingly hopeless, He’s still purposeful. In fact it’s when the grass appears to be dead, that His miraculous power can show itself mighty to bring dead things back to life. We just have to believe Him for the rain.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
This morning I spent time in Acts sixteen. Paul saw a vision of a man pleading with him to come to Macedonia. (Acts 16:9) So Paul and the other disciples went. And when they arrived, after a series of events, the people stirred up against them, had them beaten, and then threw them into prison.
You know what Paul and Silas did? They sang hymns and prayed at midnight, in a cold prison cell, with chains around their wrists. (Acts 16:25) Why? Because they believed that God must know what He’s doing, even in that dark place.
As a result, the jailer and his entire family came to Christ that night. (Acts 16:33) In fact, I think God had revealed the plea of the jailer’s spirit in that original vision beckoning Paul to come. The next day the magistrates released them from prison.
God called Paul and Silas to that jail cell for the redemption of many. When the grass seemed dead under their feet, they kept believing God for the rain. And salvation fell.
The grass may seem greener “over there.” But it’s all in our gaze. If we keep our heart and mind set on the Giver of all good things — believing that He and His plans are good and purposeful — then peace and joy can arise regardless.
Fill me, Lord…
How have you watched your own joy “deflate” when you set your gaze on something seemingly better?
Oh I know this gaze. It really gets you, doesn’t it? What I’ve found is that it seems better over there. It may even be better over there temporarily but not for long. Because it isn’t my story. I love how you said He moves purposefully in our lives. There is reason. Trying to hold on to that. Thanks for this friend!
I absolutely love that line you said, “Because it isn’t my story.” Yes! So good, friend. Much love.
We’ll only see His provision for our best when we wait for Him instead of jumping ship to find our own “best” which will never satisfy.
LOVE this post!