Apollo 13 was a movie starring Tom Hanks about a lunar mission that went off the rails. Remember that iconic line? “Houston, we have a problem.”

While in space, the three astronauts started to run out of oxygen. To help find a solution, a ground crew back on earth worked feverishly to try and design makeshift oxygen filters. Because they wouldn’t be able to physically get what they made to the spaceship, they had to come up with a design that only included items that they knew the astronauts would already have on board.

They didn’t waste their time bemoaning their situation and all the resources they WISHED they had. Instead, they worked with what they DID have to make the best of it.

That’s what I think you should do.

Sure, we could look at our lives (or work situation or family or church or achievements…) and whine about all the resources, people or stuff we WISHED we had. Or, we could work with what we DO have to make the most of it.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to improve things. But I am saying you shouldn’t neglect what you’ve already been given.

Writing to the Christians in Philippi, Paul said that “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” In other words, they (and we) already have everything we need.

If you are a follower of Jesus you ALREADY have everything you need. You have the Holy Spirit living within you, you have access to God’s truth in the Bible, you have a church family, you have a purpose, and you are embraced by a heavenly Father who loves you, forgives you, provides for you, saves you and guides you!

“God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Yes, sir: The glory of his riches!

So make the best of the situation you’re already in.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.