Reflection: Contentment

I began this series with an introduction, saying: it’s desperate people who beg for shelter. No wonder the ‘Shepherd and Overseer of our souls’ orchestrates that many of us reach the end of ourselves so we might become desperate for him.  

Case in point: Joni Erikson-Tada. You’ll have heard of this woman who, for almost 50 years, has been pared back to desperation. Every day she experiences ‘splash overs of hell’. And every day she’s determined to take shelter in Jesus ‘who is with me through it’.  

But recently Joni had an epiphany: Splash overs of hell I know. But where do I find splash overs of heaven? In rosy skies and careless life? No. ‘Splash overs of heaven are when you find Jesus in the midst of your splash overs of hell.’ There’s an even deeper sense of contentment and privilege in this realization: The flip side of ‘him with me’ is ‘me with him; to know Christ and the power of his resurrection as I join in his suffering.’ (see Philippians 3:8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Oswe6Sbic). 

Essentially, safe contentment and joy are embedded in the person of Jesus — ‘the overseer of our souls’. To know him, to love him, to need him and to trust him. This, this is everlasting shelter. 

Prayer:

Read and repeat this benediction: By God’s grace his Spirit is among you. So be enriched and enrich each other with your abundant spiritual gifts as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on that day. He is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:6–9 author’s paraphrase) 

*Psalm 91 — Author’s paraphrase 

 You who sequester in Almighty God,  

Rest assured that in his shadow you’ll be safe.  

As for me, I say with Christ Jesus: 

Father, you are my powerful protection. 

And it’s gospel truth:  

He has overcome the world. 

He’ll snatch you from the snare of the Evil One and sin’s deadly swamp.  

He’ll corral and cover you—  

trustworthy and protective as a parent bird’s wide wings  

or a surrounding battle shield.  

In the world you’ll have tribulation… 

but come hell or high water there’s nothing to fear:  

not darkness and its terrors  

nor the crush of daily battles.  

Not COVID-plague  

nor world devastation.  

Hostility and death be on every side— 

know that you are secure. 

You’ll witness sinners receiving their just punishment— 

yes, you’ll just see.  

But you won’t experience it  

because your identity and mine are safe-housed in the Lord.  

We are abiding in Christ,  

and not one thing can sever us from his love.  

He’s ordered (and experienced) perpetual angel-guard. 

So attentive is their care that, no matter what, 

we won’t trip or come to harm. 

“I promise,” says Christ,  

“Because you cling to me, I’ll rescue you.  

Because you trust in me you are safe. 

I’ve been where you are.  

and we’re in this together.  

I’ll answer whenever you call. 

I’ll equip you; rescue you.  

celebrate you; bless you.  

and eternally satisfy you with my salvation”.