I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4: 11-13
Things really change gears for so many at this time of year. Our Year 12’s begin their final assessments journeys, Years 4 and 6 students head off on camps and interstate tours over the next two weeks, preparations for the final few weeks of the school year start to heat up and all of this is amongst what is typically a lengthy period of the school year. Students across the College are experiencing pressures, stress, excitement, worry, a whole myriad of emotions during this time. It is our prayer that no matter their situation that, they can feel the peace and strength that comes from the contentment described in the bible passage above.
It is also a time where many families and staff are going through a wide range of experiences from, victories to tragedies and all the in-between. Like the prayer for students, it is also one we sincerely pray, for all families. The power in the apostle Paul’s writing above comes from perspective, gratefulness and the strength of the submission to God’s grace.
Perspective is the encouragement to take stock of our situation, through acknowledgement of what it is and also how it may make us feel, positively or negatively. To then look for ways of being grateful for anything that is a positive in our life, adds to our perspective and begins to melt the negative. Finally, Paul states that whatever is in front of us (or behind us still causing pain), God is the provider of what our heart needs, no matter our situation.
In our Year 3-6 Assembly on Monday, 6 Green gave us a beautiful and powerful reminder of how God wants us to grow and the importance of the state of our heart in order to grow. One of the verses they used was Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Out of these 9 things, is one is lacking in your life or family? The love that God has for us is such that He furiously longs to replace ‘the lacking’ so we can have the strength to take on anything that life throws at us.
When we don’t allow God to do this for us (through, healing, restoring, filling and through the people placed around us), we don’t let Him get what He paid for in the death of His son Jesus for us. That powerful gift of love is free! It grants us eternal life and it also grants us instant access (through relationship) to God at any time, to drawer from Him True Strength.
Be blessed and know God knows you and loves you and through him you can do all things.
