By Kim Hoover
Sunday evening our pastor continued preaching from the book of Ecclesiastes. The scriptures that he read came from chapters 5 and 6. As he began reading it wasn’t long before God began to speak to my heart. I sensed God speaking to me in Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 which says, “Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.” The same idea is quoted in 6:9 which also says, “To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God.”
You see, about six months ago, my husband and I were forced to move out of the home where we were living. We only had 60 days to find somewhere else that fit into our budget. We looked at around 20 houses or more and still couldn’t seem to find the right one that fit all the regulations and that was in our price range. About a month before we had to be out, we found a little house that was 676 square feet and was exactly in our price range. It was a very small two-bedroom house. We decided this was the one that God had provided for us. We were both excited and were ready to move in.
We were now first-time homeowners. The first week in, there was a large amount of rain and we found 2 feet of water in our cellar. We got that fixed, but then one thing has just led to another. Holes in the cellar causing water fountains to come in, ants, mice, rooms not level, doors that have gaps, no central heat or air, and definitely not a lot of space for all our things. I could go on and on. I should also mention that this house was built in 1909.
It’s been several months since we moved in and things are still not put together like I want them to be and, to be honest, sometimes it still doesn’t feel like home. “Why?” you ask. Maybe it’s because I want things to be better, bigger, nicer things that won’t fall apart or have to be fixed all the time. I’ve been struggling with this since the first issue happened, but Sunday night, I was reminded what was truly important.
God truly spoke to my heart with just these few but simple verses. I was not being thankful for what I had been given and that having moremoney to get better things or having a bigger better house was not important. God said to accept my lot in life and to enjoy it because it was a gift from Him. Even the book of James talks about everything being a gift from God. As we ended the service, I repented of my attitude and asked God to help me focus on what truly mattered and to be thankful for what he has allotted me.
As I was praying, I was honest and confessed how I did want more. I wanted more money so we could do this or that and so on. I could list so many things that I want more of, and I’m sure you can too. But then God showed me that when I’m desiring more, I’m really needing more of Him and to be more like Him.
Our scripture verse for our upcoming Transformation Weekend comes from 1 Peter 3:3-5 which says, “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful.” I believe my struggle is a perfect example of what this verse talks about. It’s not about what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside, who you are in Christ and your relationship with Him.
A few chapters earlier Paul says that we are to be holy because God is holy. It’s not wrong to have wealth or nice things, it’s your attitude towards it that matters. God knows me better than I know myself so if I did have more of those things that I want and desire, I may not be satisfied, but I know that I can always be satisfied in Him. And so for that I am truly grateful.
There is a song that speaks to this. I have attached the link to it below. The chorus says, “All of you is more than enough for all of me. For every thirst and every need, you satisfy me with all of your love. All I have in You is more than enough. Whenever we are tempted to fall into to the trap of desiring more, may we remember to say to our Lord, “What I desire is more of You.” We must seek Him with our whole heart. He is more than enough.