Guest Post

I'm glad to get to share my dear friend Rhonda's heart with you this week. She is a regular contributor here and her perspective on life are a blessing to all she is around. Thanks for sharing with us today Rhonda!

Last week was not my favorite week.  My beautiful, yet overly dramatic daughter was having meltdown after meltdown.  We had to cancel a weekend getaway we had planned because of money. No matter how hard I worked, the house seemed to get dirtier by the day.  I dropped the ball on more than one occasion and overall I just wanted someone else’s life.

Why ME???  Why can’t I have the perfect life like ______ (fill in the blank with anyone in my circle who isn’t me).  Just like my 3 year old I whine “It isn’t FAIR!!!” 

Is this what my life is supposed to look like?  Lack of joy and contentment?  Looking at what everyone else has, instead of being thankful for what God has given me?  No... No it isn’t what my life is supposed to look like.

In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul talks about learning to be content.  He says he has learned the secret of being content in “any and every situation”.  Paul- who was in PRISON while writing those words.  How could he be so content when he had every reason to whine and complain?  He goes on to say in verse 13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

A New Perspective

Colossians 3:1-2  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Phillipians 3:20 But our citizenship in in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do I believe this?  That my citizenship is in heaven?  That my life here on earth is a small blip of what eternity in heaven is going to be like? 

My heart and my mind should be set on things above, not on earthly things.  But when my focus is only on what is right in front of me, I lose perspective.  I falsely believe the “if onlys” instead of walking in the truth that because I have placed my trust in Christ to save me from my sin, I get to spend ETERNITY in HEAVEN with HIM!!!  What better news is there than that?  When circumstances truly do seem awful, as citizens of heaven, we have the privilege to step back and focus on the bigger picture... the truth that this life is not forever and that there is an awesome place waiting for us!  It’s only when we step back from what’s right in front of us that we gain the proper perspective and the full picture!  As humans, created in God’s image, we have a natural desire for things to be perfect. We don’t want things to go wrong, we don’t want failure or sickness.  I’m glad that I can actually look forward to a day when this hope will be realized- I “eagerly await”!

Paul lived a life of purpose.  His circumstances were hard.  But his circumstances did not stop him from preaching the gospel.  His hope?  Heaven... eagerly awaiting a savior... Jesus Christ.  Will you do the same?  Will you join me in gaining perspective and living a life of purpose and hope?

Rhonda has two beautiful daughters (the oldest of which both of my boys want to marry someday) and is on staff with Master Plan Ministries in Grand Junction. She has a passion for the Lord and living on mission as a family. She is a great blessing to me through her vibrance, passionate living and love for the Lord and His Word.

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