F.A.T.

Lately, God has really be testing and teaching me. Of course, He is continually doing this all the time, but this is really taking a toll on me, and lately, been the source of my spiritual struggles.

Living in the North American we are all so well off. We may not think that we have a lot of stuff, but compared to the rest of the world, we're actually very blessed. And really, I understand this and know that God has really looked out for me by providing this in my life.

I guess I've just been blinded by the material things of this world. Seeing what other people have, a sense of jealousy has sort of crept up in my heart. I find myself striving to want to own a nicer car, a larger house, newer clothes, fancier wedding...

God is really testing me at this time...to be content with what I have in this world. Really, it's not like I'm lacking in anything. I mean, by this world's standards, success means to have a 6 (or more!) digit salary, the newest (and best German) cars, a 4000 sq feet house...etc. But these are all material things...things that can be bought with money. And if things can be bought with money, than I really believe that it is not the true measure of success.

I would rather have a wonderful marriage, beautiful kids, be a God fearing woman and have my whole house serve the Lord faithfully. And these things CANNOT be bought with dollar bills. These are the things that really matter to me.

But oh, how hard it is to be in this world, but not of it. I truly believe and understand the importance of being content in the Lord, but right now, I'm just finding it so hard to apply it in my heart. I'm really being caught up on all the things that can be bought around me, that I'm losing sight on what I really value...

A dear brother of mine (and an ex counselor at Agape) has this saying: F.A.T.

It stands for...
F - Faithful
A- Available
T- Teachable

I always thought that this is so cheesy, but now that I think about it, so true. He used it as an example of a Christian leader, but Im using it as an example of just a Christian.

And now, at the end of the day, I'm learning how to be faithful to God and what He has to give to me (even when I desire more), available to hear His word and listen to what He wants to say, and finally teachable to His rebukes.

Becoming a mature Christian means to learn how to be content in the Lord...and nothing but the Lord.