Life is full of seasons. Some sad and some great, some painful, some exciting. There are times when we know exactly where we are meant to be and other times when we have no idea.
Being back in Lichinga brings me into a new season. I'm stoked to be here, to see my friends again, to be with the team. I'm challenged being here- to see people in need and hear of the work God is doing through others to make His name known. I'm a little bit sad being here- knowing one day i will be here for a long time, away from family and a lot of my friends.
More than all of these emotions is the confidence i have knowing God has a place for me amongst the Yao here and that's a joy that fills my heart. It's not a sacrifice, it's not a burden. The yoke is light.
I've only been back in Lichinga for a couple of weeks but have had the opportunity to chat with many different missionaries out here from various organisations. It's no surprise that life here brings about certain challenges and surprises. They've had to learn, like Paul, to be content in any and every situation. But how do they do it? How can we too learn this in the many different seasons we face?
Luckily, Paul doesn't leave us in suspense very long as to what the secret is to his contentedness. In the very next verse he explains "I can do everything through him who gives me strength"(v13).
That's it???
It is by the Lord's great strength in our lives that we can get through each season. And not just get through it, but grow and learn, and even find joy and be content in it. Being content in this context (without being a Greek expert) means having sufficiency in the circumstances independent of others.
The truth is, the one thing we needed has already been given to us. When Christ died on that cross, he didn't just save us from our Sin, He restored us to our Father so we could experience right relationship with Him. We need nothing else. Because of this we can be content in whatever other circumstances come our way. God's power transcends all our understanding on what it means to be poor, weak, helpless and hungry.
God freely gives us His strength so lets trust Him to do just that in whatever this new year brings. I promise you, your Saviour is with you.
