And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat,
For a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.
(Isaiah 4:6 NKJV)
If you ever vacation in Nags Head North Carolina, visit Jeanette’s Pier. It’s not your typical fishing pier. There’s a nice enclosed area to escape the summer heat. You can also walk out on the pier watching fish as they are reeled in. There’s also an upper deck viewing area.
We were leaving the pier to walk back up the beach to our motel when we heard a loud crack of thunder. A bolt of lightning flashed across the black sky, and we quickly returned inside until the storm passed.
I didn’t want to be stuck there any longer. I would have preferred to wait it out in my motel room, where I could have done something productive, such as writing. Here we were, safe from the storm, and I turned my attention to the large aquarium with its various fish.
I longed to see the eel, but he proved difficult for me to capture with my low-vision. A striped fish caught my attention. His stripes stood out to me like a lighthouse. Contrasts were always easier to detect than solid colors. I became content as I watched the “Spade Fish” as he is called.
I considered how life is similar. We seek God’s shelter during our storms. We desire His hand of protection, but it’s not necessarily a place we would choose for our lives. We find ourselves in a situation that we are powerless to change. How we long for our lives to get back to normal, but we must ride out the storm with God as our shelter.
It is during those times that we must find our spade fish, our contentment. It could be time in God’s Word, as we seek His comfort. Maybe we memorize some of God’s promises. We could share that time with family and friends, or it could be a private time spent alone with God in prayer and fasting.
Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:” (Philippians 4:11b NKJV)
According to Vines Dictionary, contentment means “sufficient.” It is enough. It satisfies us for that season.
Note that contentment is something we learn. It doesn’t come naturally, and I imagine we learn it during a storm. Otherwise, we would charge on toward greener pastures. The waiting is easier when we wait in a state of contentment rather than a time of panic and unrest.
our thunderstorm in Nags Head eventually passed. I try to remember that little striped fish swimming aimlessly in circles around the aquarium. I want him to remind me of a place of contentment during stormy weather.
Are you traversing stormy weather today? Snuggle up in your heavenly Father’s secure arms. Find your place of contentment, your spade fish. Spend your time there until the storm passes by. Father, You already know I don’t like where I am today. I realize You have a purpose in this, and I seek Your help in learning to be content while the storm passes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Mark 6:45-51.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+6%3A45-51&version=NKJV
HIKING THE TRAIL
Do a Bible study to discover what situations Paul learned to be content in. How can you apply this to your life?
RELATED RESOURCE
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Originally posted on August 3, 2020 @ 3:00 am