Putting God First Place

Today, I am going to be very transparent. And, to be honest, I am terrified to put myself out there, out in the open. But, I'm going to go ahead and do it...

Have you heard the song "In Christ Alone?" It is a powerful song. You can click on the link and read the whole song, but today I wanted to share with you the first part of it,

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

The line that strikes me so powerfully is the first one: In Christ alone my hope is found.

Can you truly say that you are satisfied in Christ alone, every day, every hour, every situation?

Now, here comes my transparency, I am not just pointing my finger at you and asking this question. I am asking because I know this is something that I am struggling with greatly right now. I so much desire to be like Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 when he says,

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I am not there. I want to be there, I'm just not yet. To be able to say, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content," that would be wonderful. I want to be content. I desire to be content. But yet, I find myself struggling, struggling with desires for more.

For me, it is mostly a desire for a family, for children to raise and take care of. I've shared this before many times. My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for almost four years. We have also been in the adoption process for about 8 months. Nothing seems to be happening in either arena and I am getting frustrated and disappointed. And I am finding myself discontent with my circumstances.

The desire might be different for you. You might desire a bigger house, or a better job for your husband, or to be able to stay at home and raise your children, or to go to the mission field, or to keep your house clean, or to have a stronger marriage. I'm not sure what you are struggling with, or if you are at all.

But, I am pretty sure that most of us struggle with some sort of discontent. So, I wanted to share that you are not alone! I am here, with you. But, I hope that you also want to be where Paul is, and what this song if talking about. We need to learn to be satisfied IN CHRIST ALONE.

What if God never gives me children? What if you never get a bigger house? What if you are never able to stay at home and raise your children? What if your husband never gets a better job? Will God still be the same? Will He still be a great and mighty God? Will you still trust in His plans for your life? Will I?

I hope that we can answer yes to those questions. And I truly hope that we can learn to be more like Paul, to be satisfied in Christ alone! We will never be perfect, this side of Heaven, but we can always strive to pick up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23)!