This year my husband and I have the opportunity to coach our
5th grade granddaughter’s volleyball team. Curt is the head coach and I am his
assistant. It is wonderful to see these
girls learning to play volleyball and how to work together as a team.
The hard part for me is; I see them growing and increasing
in their skills, and yet they are not winning games. The mom in me, as well as the competitor in
me, wants to see them win some games. I
want them to feel the success of winning, as well as being good sports when
they lose.
I woke up this morning, thinking about last night’s game,
and the realization came to me that Christ is as much in the losing, as the winning. The scripture came to my mind, “I can do all
things through Christ, who strengthens me. “
The apostle Paul said in his letter to the believers in Philippi:
“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.” Philippians 4:11-13
Paul learned the secret
of contentment in his time of need and lack, as well as his time of abundance;
it was to depend on Christ to give him strength, in every situation. I realized that I needed to learn this, as
well as the girl’s on our volleyball team.
It is easy to feel contentment when we succeed and are doing
well in life. It is when the struggles
come that we learn whether our contentment is based on our situation, or is it
based on our faith in Christ? Do we
trust that God is in all of our circumstances? Do we perceive the difficulties
we face as opportunities to spiritually mature and grow in faith, or do we feel
like giving up?
If you are in the midst of trials; ask the Lord to give you strength
to face them, as well as to teach you contentment in Him. Allow the Lord to build your spiritual endurance
and a heart of gratitude. If you feel
that all is going well today; praise God and ask Him to give you the strength
to gracefully receive and enjoy it.
(Lord Jesus, whatever our situation, easy or tough; give us
strength to accept them gracefully and teach us how to be grateful and content
in you. Amen)
Triss Curtis copyright September 2015
