A Place of Contentment

by

Paul Parsons

It is amazing sometimes how we Christians seem to come up with all the right answers for someone else who is going through a trial, but can’t seem to cope with our own, often similar, struggles. 

I know a preacher, who through a series of bad decisions, ended up a guest of the government in a federal prison.  He spends much of his time searching his own heart to determine if there was any sinful motivation, while asking God the question we would all ask in similar circumstances, “When am I going to get out?”

Whenever we find ourselves in a situation that seems hopeless or almost so, the human will to survive kicks in and we begin to concentrate on the duration of the circumstance, rather than the value which is to be derived from the experience. 

King David was a great example to us of a man who was constantly seeking the face of God.  Yet, even he had his weaker moments when he struggled through difficult circumstances, constantly pursuing a more peaceful lifestyle through the deliverance of the Lord. 

I have been in the ministry now for more than twenty years, with roughly 2 ½ years of full-time ministry, the remainder as what is commonly referred to as “bivocational.”  My constant refrain during my quiet time with the Lord is “When?”  When will I be able to go into full-time ministry and serve Him with all my time and effort?  When will I be able to escape this secular world with all its sinful trappings?  When will you use me, Lord?

I never stopped to count the gains I have made in my own spiritual life, the opportunities I have had to share my Savior with others by my words and life, nor the tremendous lessons I have learned as He prepares me for that time. 

Recently, I shared in this column and included an article at that time a work I had done, which I truly believe will offer me that opportunity for which I have sought so long.  The work is a rewrite of the Declaration of Independence, making it a Christian document, and accusing the current enemy, Satan (rather than the King of England) of various plots against the Church in America.  It is called The Declaration of Dependence (upon God).

I commissioned a calligrapher to write the new document in a similar handwriting and it has now been printed.  A copy is in the hands of two national ministry leaders who may decide to become the first two of the needed 56 to sign it.  Once signed by all 56, it will be made available to them to offer to their partners.  The financial reward to us will provide the necessary funds to drive our ministry full-time.

I have to admit that, like my friend in prison, I have been less concerned with the journey on this than I have been with the destination.  But I have learned much during the trip and even if the document turns out not to be from the Lord and it fizzles, I know that I must thank God for the process. 

The apostle Paul said it so beautifully in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of what I want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”  Here was a man who knew hardship, had experienced abuse, jailings, shipwrecks, you name it.  Yet, he was content.  I have known that scripture for many years, embracing its truth as I have helped others to seek higher service, while remaining content wherever they are.

Wise is the man who listens to his own advice.

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