The contentment of a friendship and life with Jesus
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
I love the book of Philippians. When I was a new believer, I remember reading Paul’s letter and thinking, “Wow. He wrote these words in prison. I want to live with that level of contentment in my life.” Powerfully, this book teaches that we choose our level of contentment in our lives. Not our circumstances or relationships. When we hold onto this truth, we actually walk out our heavenly identity.
Through our struggles, we have the hope of heaven and the life of Jesus, our living-God, to edify our spirits.
Called to relationship
Because of our hope in Jesus, there is the presence of relationship and deep connection. God is our Father and companion. Just as He walked with Adam in the garden, He desires to walk in our lives. The daily connection to Him is where we thank Him for who He is, how He provides, and tell Him what we need. When you present your requests to your Father, you learn to surrender your needs and desires to His direction for your life. Even so, often the desires of our hearts come from the satisfaction from a life with Jesus.
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. “(Psalm 37:4)