This verse has been underlined in my Bible for quite a while; however, I am seeing it play out more and more in my life currently.
I know that working out in the oilfield is an incredible opportunity for my career and life. I know that I am truly blessed to have a job and to have a good job at that. I know that I should be extremely thankful and joyful that I get to live in Midland, Texas. I know in my head that God has placed me here for His purposes and my refinement, sanctification and good. I know that God is our great Father and does not give bad gifts as promised in His Word. (James 1:17, Luke 11:11-13, etc.) I know that He has ordained each and every situation that I encounter.
But for some reason today, I found myself pouting about life and where I’m at. “if only I was still in College Station…if only I still had this or that relationship…if only I had more friends here…if only I could advance about 6 months, or 2 years, or 5 years or 10 years…if only I would not have done this or that…if only this was easier or better”
I knew coming out here would not be easy or always enjoyable. I knew that it would be a difficult transition from bountiful, solid community to almost non-existent community. I knew that life would not be the same as it had been. I knew that living alone in a new place would have its challenges.
But I had forgotten those truths of Scripture and allowed Satan to creep in and lie to me. “you’re such a failure…you are not going to be any good at this…you’ll never find friends or a wife…you’ll never get this down pat…you’ll never be good enough”
How short-sighted am I? How short is my memory? How deaf do I get to the truth in Scripture? How fast is my heart emptied of passion? The answer to all of these questions is VERY.
How quickly I forget the truth of Scripture in the midst of a small adversity. Solomon reminds us in the verse that our God made this day, and planned out what would go on. He reminds us that He not only made days for prosperity but also days for adversity to remind us of how small and wretched we are without Him, our Majestic and Creative God!
All through Ecclesiastes, Solomon concludes that there is nothing more to this life than to fear God, keep His commandments, and have joy. How often he commends joy in all circumstances.
“Behold, what I have found to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” - Ecclesiastes 5:16-20
It is cool to think that this person found enjoyment and satisfaction in God, and not his stuff or circumstances. It did not matter to him what went on in his life or how much he had, because he was occupied with joy in his heart, undoubtedly given from God. I am praying right now to be occupied with joy in my heart, especially when I am not feeling it, like right now.
God I pray for peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray for an unwavering devotion to You to be built up in this time of life. Be my everything!
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