Journey, an update from Rachelle Sperling 8-22-06

This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

The devotional book that I am reading has been focusing on contentment as the theme for August. As I have been reading the stories and thoughts and prayers of others I have been greatly challenged, humbled and encouraged. I have read about contentment in want and contentment in plenty, about contentment in the midst of blessing and in the midst of sorrow. But the overall message that I have seen is that contentment comes from an eternal view. It is seeing the Big Picture and evaluating life in perspective.

I thought about the verse above and how God says to find the good way and walk in it. The good way leads to truth and hope and a promise of eternity in the presence of the Lord who loves us and gave Himself for us. I lose sight of how to be content when I take my eyes off of the destination and the goal and see only the short stretch of road before me. Or sometimes I see only the path that is behind me and all the other paths that I can not go back and travel. When I take my eyes off the big picture my soul is burdened and my heart is heavy. I want to see with eternal eyes and walk in the good way. And the key to the puzzle? God says to ask. I need to be asking God to lead and guide me, to teach me to obey and walk in the right way. Then I can have rest and contentment whatever my circumstances.