2 minute read
Has God Left?
from October 2021
by Brian Edward Johnson
Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’” This is one of many promises God’s Word gives us. He will always be there, no matter what. Then why is it that we do not feel Him there sometimes? I propose that it is because of our issues with covetousness and lack of contentment.
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Covetousness is something we all struggle with. Your neighbor gets a new car while you struggle to get yours started. Your friend gets a new house when all you can see in your own are all the honey-do lists that need completion. You are single, everyone around you is in a relationship, and you are consumed with the desire of having that special someone.
Covetousness is difficult to stay away from, and dare I say, natural—but it is not something God would have us do. According to Colossians 3:5, covetousness is idolatry. This makes you see how God sees it. When you think about it, covetousness takes our eyes off of God just like the idol worship of people in the Old Testament.
Philippians 4:11 says, “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” We see Paul as the example of Christianity. He was absolutely great, but even he had to “learn” contentment. If you are still struggling with that, you are in good company.
I struggled with contentment regarding singleness, but I did not find the woman that would later become my wife until I learned to be content. You will not learn contentment by continuing to chase after things that are not for you. When one of my sons was six years old, he was angry about our rules. After we came home one night, he said, “I don’t want to live here anymore.” I told him to put his shoes back on and get out. He stepped out the door, and I shut it. I watched him walk to the end of the driveway, look at the house, turn around with his head down and continue to walk. I went outside to follow him and make sure he was safe. I followed him to the end of the block and around the corner. At that time, he decided to turn around and come back home. I ran back into the house before he saw me and opened the door. I asked if he wanted to come back, and he said yes.
I recently asked him what his plan was. He said he was going to sleep in the driveway and figure out what he would do the next morning. My son was so focused on what he did not have that he did not realize his father was with him the whole time.
Do not be so focused on what you do not have or the circumstances you are in, that you miss the amazing thing that God wants to do in your life.
About The Author Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church and a nurse by vocation. He wants to do the best he can to teach people to trust God, for their eternity and for each day.
