For this week’s Monday Minute, Ashley shares what God has been teaching her about the secret to having enough.
Is Enough Really Enough?
by Ashley SaulnierÂ
As a highly qualified veteran, woman and wife, I never thought I’d hear the word…unemployment.Â
I aspired to serve in the uniform from middle school and planned all 20 years of my military career. I graduated from a military academy, went on two deployments, lived overseas, and jumped out of airplanes. But after seven years of service, the day when I hung up my jump boots and uniform came suddenly.
But I could get a job outside of the Army fairly quickly, still be a mom, wife, and overachiever, right?
Wrong.
God’s Plans vs. Our Plans
I’ve caught myself saying I know God has good plans for me. Because the truth is, he does. It’s in his character to love, to keep his promises, and to work things out for good. We tend to get caught up in making our own plans and expecting God to work it out the way we see fit.
But then, he wouldn’t be God, would he?
“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 was caught in the ‘God’s Plans vs. My Plans’ trap. I was not living in surrender to his will for me. I didn’t think what I was doing was enough. Taking care of my little one with another on the way, fostering a stable environment for my husband, and ministering to those God placed in my life didn’t seem like enough to me. I was not happy, I wanted more and enough was not enough.
Truthfully, until we surrender to his will, it will never be enough. And like Paul said, it won’t matter whether we have a little or we have a lot.
The Secret to Having Enough is Jesus Christ
The funny thing is, it’s really not much of a secret at all, which is what I think is joyous. The gospel of Christ was never meant to be a secret. It was for all to hear, accept and live out. Now, I have not perfected the practice of surrendering all the time to Jesus, but I’m thankful he’s helping me every step of the way. I’m so much happier, content with what I have, and living out His plans for me, which, despite being unemployed, are so good.
Living out God’s plans for you and knowing it’s through the love of Christ, will enable you to rise up and live in surrender, no matter if you’re unemployed or not. You have it all with Jesus Christ.
Rise UpÂ
Pause The lies and distractions might enter your head, but don’t let them. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. That includes stepping back, looking upon his faithfulness, and trusting he will continue to provide for all you need.
Submit Don’t keep wishing you had more or things looked different. That’s not for us to decide. God knows us better than we know ourselves so let’s submit to him and realize how much better his plans are when we give Him our best in surrender.
Worship When you thank God for what you have, also thank him for what you don’t have. I know my life would look differently if I went about it my own way, so I’m thankful God keeps me on track with both the things I have and the things I don’t.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for all that I have and all that I don’t have. I thank you for helping me in all my needs because of Jesus Christ. I never knew the life that I could live simply by surrendering all I have to you. Amen.
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