The Lord wants us to be content with our lives. The bible says in 1 Timothy 6:8 NLT, “So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” The word “content” is defined as being satisfied and not wanting for more. I am learning that there is a fine line in being content in my walk with the Lord and being a stagnant Christian.
Stagnant
When you hear the word stagnant what do you think of?
Water of course. Water is considered stagnant when it doesn’t move.
We have two ponds on the farm. They are both stagnant ponds. These ponds are of no use except for a great lilly pad area for frogs to jump around in.
There is no life in our ponds. In order for us to use the ponds for anything purposefully we must make a way for the water to move and circulate so that the water is not stagnant.
A Stagnant Christian
I was a stagnant Christian for my entire Christian life and I didn’t even know it. It took heartache, devastation, seeing God guide me out of the unknowns, and leading me into His path in order for me to realize it. I know one thing, I never want to be stagnant again.
Sure I went to church. I taught my kids about Jesus. I even volunteered and did all the “things” a Christian was suppose to do. I was so content with my spiritual walk, with what I could control, that I truly was not moving in the direction God wanted me to go in. I was stagant.
When God would asked me to do the hard stuff, you know those things that make you uncomfortable in your content life, the unfamiliar things, I said “no” to Him. Time after time, no after no, led me to spiritual stagnancy.
Mary
Mary was a young lady who, I think was content with her life. She was in a place in her life that was exciting. She would soon be marrying Joseph. The last thing Mary anticipated was having a baby. Having a baby in that moment would make her life really uncomfortable for numerous reasons. Nevertheless, God invited her to take a step out of her contentment and into the uncomfortable, unfamiliar, unplanned, and unknown.
Luke 1:31 NKJV “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in they womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”
It goes on to say in Luke 1:35 NKJV, ” The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee.”
What I gather from this is Mary had a choice. Yes, God had favor on her. Yes, God had chosen her to birth His Son. Nevertheless, it says “thou shalt conceive” and “the Holy Ghost shall come.” All of those things are in reference to the future so in that moment, she was not pregnant yet, she had a choice.
God is a God of Free will. Everything He calls us to is ultimately a choice we have to make. Being all knowing, He knew Mary’s heart was willing. Nevertheless, she had a choice.
Being Willing
God wants a willing heart. A content heart that is willing to say Yes to Him even if you feel as though you are not able. Your willingness is far more important to God than your ability.
Being willing doesn’t mean you have to become a foster parent, preacher, or missionary and step into those unknowns. If God calls you to that then of course, but God speaks to us on the daily to step out into the unfamiliar.
When you feel something that says to tell the man pumping gas next to you that, “Jesus loves you.” That’s God, so…
Do it!
When you feel the need to invite the waitress who is serving you to come to church next Sunday. Again, that’s Him….
Do it!
God works in the uncomfortable but we have to be willing to step out of our comfortable, content, spiritual lives.
Saying Yes to God
What I have learned is that my spiritual walk with the Lord is more than going through the Christian motions. Attending church, working the nursery, volunteering at bible school, or even my daily devotion are all important things, don’t get me wrong. Nevertheless, those are tasks I have control over.
However, what I have learned is when I say “yes” to step into the unfamiliar, the uncomfortable, or unknown, it allows me to move in a direction beyond my control. I’ve got to trust Him.
After this season of saying Yes and all the uncertainties this season brought, there is a refreshing sense of contentment that I feel. Not in the things of this world but in my walk. I am very content with where I am. Nonetheless, I am fervently praying for my next, scary, yes to God.
Just like Mary, God wants to birth life from you for His glory. He wants to cause waves in your stagnant walk. He wants you to get a little uncomfortable with your content life. All we need is to be willing to give Him our Yes. When our stagnant water begins to move, the ripple effect through the power of Jesus will change lives!
Love you friends
