This Christian Life

Response to “Irene”

This is in direct response to “Irene’s” comment on my last journal entry.

First, thank you Irene for your words. They were helpful. I have found what you said to be true about how hard it is in our society to be content. That is truly getting at the issue I am restling with.

Second, I read your blog (the one you referred to) and also found that to be helpful.

You wrote, “There’s nothing wrong with striving for excellence, but I also believe in divine placement. If I’m in the place where God wants me to be, and I’m content, why should anyone try to make me feel dissatisfied with where I’m at?”

That is another issue that I have struggled with for years. When I was a bachelor, I lived in an apartment building where many people were welfare recipients. It was a good time for me to live with people who are used to not having everything they want. It occured to me that I could live like they do. They seemed content, moreso than I was. I almost wanted to stop my career path at that point and give it all up for a “poorer” lifestyle that would give me more contentment.

But then I also realized that I was making an impact, and God was using me where I was. My job was—and still is—full of opportunities to make an impact for the good in our society. But if I had chosen a different lifestyle, those opportunities would go away. I realized that God had placed me in that place to be used by him. He gave me certain talents and life experiences that I could leverage to do wonderful things for the good of the kingdom in many ways.

Today hasn’t changed and God is still reminding me of that. Thank you again for reminding me through your comments.