That is a phrase the Lord gave my husband years ago that has been like an anchor to steady us when it would have been easy to quit, change vocations, or just plain jump ship. Actually the whole phrase was this: There is joy in the call and satisfaction in fulfilling it. 

 

How awesome is that?!  He is the great counselor and He knows exactly what words of encouragement you need in every moment of life. We just have to be open to hear His voice and not those other voices saying,”Quit. It’s not worth it. You can’t take this anymore.” Ever heard any of those voices? Or just me? We all get discouraged over things and wonder if we can go on. But you know what? Some of the best songs, inventions, and art renderings were created out of the most desperate of times.  Here’s a thought…How bout next time you are in a funk, pick up a pen, a paint brush, an instrument, or whatever it is you do and harness that pain, washing your situation with the water of The Word and dig deep within your heart letting God use that bad situation to turn things around for good for you. Something that rings so true the older you get is that as Ed Young says, “Life is brutiful.” Y’a know what? It just is. But how faithful was God to come into our situation that time and tell us that there is joy in the call and satisfaction in fulfilling it. It was a word that has held us steady through the toughest of storms from then til now.

 

I was reading in my devotion time this passage and it is actually what reminded me of that “word from the The Lord”  

 “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:2-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

http://bible.com/116/2ti.4.2-5.nlt

 

If you continue to read that passage of scripture it goes on to say that this person after that person deserted him and this person was not there for him and you can just tell by reading this chapter that his life was lived very alone at times. People don’t want to hear the truth and would rather chase myths often in life. People don’t want to be corrected and rebuked but only encouraged. I don’t know about you but the people in my life that have weathered the storms of life with us and are still here are the ones who rebuke, correct, and encourage me and I let them. The accountability is mutual. This verse is so good because it tells us to keep a clear head in every situation {Yikes! Guilty – Help me, Rhonda, Jesus, somebody} and don’t worry about suffering for The Lord. It’s just part of it. We don’t need to be all pitiful as unfortunately I have been at times like “Woe is me…” Basically this verse is saying “Suck it up Buttercup! And finish what you started no matter what.” 

 

After finishing this chapter I was (as it said in the passage above) rebuked, corrected, and encouraged. I hope this blog will do the same for you and you will receive the correction and encouragement to not abandon what God has called you to do no matter what and to remember that there is joy in the call and satisfaction in fulfilling it! Let’s remind each other of this going forward. If you see me on social media or around, feel free to remind me and I will you, too! Let’s choose to believe Him that there is joy in the call and satisfaction in fulfilling it! 

Happy Monday!