Recently I have had to make some tough decisions and I am not sure what the impact will be for myself, my family and my participation in ministry. I stepped out on the faith of knowing that God through His son Jesus Christ has promised He will be with me no matter where I am. Success or failure in my endeavors does not confirm or refute God being with me. God is with me because He will not break His promise to lead and guide me no matter where I am. And the promises of God are always yes in Christ. [1] So I have decided to be content although things are not exactly how I would want them to be (They rarely ever are). Contentment in our troubled situations is a dependence on Gods sovereignty, providence and timing for us. It is a chance to workout and strengthen our faith.
In some of my recent readings I learned of an American lawyer by the name of Horatio Spafford. In 1873 he had set up to visit Europe with his wife and 4 daughters, but would miss the boat due to business concerns. He planned to meet up with them later. While at sea the boat crashed into another ship and sank. Horatio lost his daughters in the accident. After having received the tragic news from his wife he set sail across the Atlantic to meet her. While on that trip he pinned these famous words that have brought comfort and contentment to myself as well as generations of Christian believers.[2]
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
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[1] 2 Corinthian 1:20
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul
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