Provision

Phil 4:12-13:  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me. [HCSB]

One final thought on the secret of contentment. Paul wrote, I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The strength is there, the provision for all things is present and available in Christ Jesus.  Like so many other things of God, however, the problem lies not with the provision but with our retrieving and living in the provision.

Too often we face situations in life with nary a thought of God’s provision.  We whine first, pray second.  We react first in our flesh before giving a thought to the spiritual. Our emotions, which we have allowed over the years to dominate, spring to life immediately.  We only see need, hunger, and want, and we neglect the provision God already has available.

That is where the learning comes in.  We must learn to live every moment in God’s provision, in Him who gives strength for everything.

Learning is always a choice.  We can remain ignorant and be blown about constantly by the circumstances of life, or we can learn to be content and then we are able to do any and all things through Christ.

My car has been making a bit of noise. It started off with just one of those things where you think you hear something but when you try to listen for it, nothing is there. Then it got a bit louder and a bit more often.

This, of course, worried Bob, especially since we are taking a trip to California the end of this month for our grandson’s graduation. (Perhaps our last one driving? Our friend is flying from Montana to join us on the trip and help us drive.)

Bob thought the noise was the water pump, so he called around to see if he could get it in and checked. All the while the noise was getting a bit louder and had become constant.

The first three places Bob called could not check the car for at least a week but gave estimates on replacing the water pump that went from $1500-$2500.  Yikes!  I remembered our son-in-love and daughter have a mechanic shop they trust, so Bob called it. They told him to bring it right in to check it out. It was the water pump, and it cost $1300 to replace.

The other morning the LORD asked me, “What do you want?” This was certainly not on the list!  Unfortunately, in life we do not just get what we want, even when we are walking in faith with our LORD and Savior, Christ Jesus.  Life in this world is full of things we do not want and yet must face. Right now, as we are trying to reduce our expenses and pay things off before year’s end when I retire from The Way, a $1300 water pump was certainly not in the plan.

But I am thankful that this water pump broke before our trip and not while we were traveling. I am thankful for a good mechanic shop that took care of it right away. I am thankful that I serve a LORD who will provide for us … now and in the future, no matter our “fixed” income.

Philippians 4:19: And my God will supply all [my] needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [HCSB]