Pick Me!

No, Pick Me!

 

 

Somewhere in time, not too long ago, I applied for a promotion.  It reminded me of when as kids we played on teams.  We also wanted to be picked, no one wanted to be last.  Well I was very small, so I hardly ever got picked first.  When it did happen, I was overjoyed.

You would think this type of thing stops when you get older, but it continues on.  I went to a popular game show once and waited in line all day. They picked contestants from the crowd.  I wanted to say, pick me, pick me – but I was too mature for that and well, they didn’t pick me.  Maybe I should have tried the pick me, pick me chant.

When you are single and you see an attractive person across the room, you want to say pick me.  Many girls may be vying for his attention, but you want him to pick you.  I got picked twenty five years ago, so I don’t have to worry about that one anymore.

Back to the position I applied for; I wanted to say – pick me.  But I didn’t, not professional enough.  I instead told them of all my qualifications and all of my abilities and why I would be great at the job.  And guess what, they didn’t pick me. 

When others are selected for something before you, it’s kind of disappointing.  I know that deep down, God always has a plan, but sometimes you want him to tell you the plan ahead of time.  Being turned down for the promotion was a little disheartening.  Of course they always tell you it was a hard decision etc., but the end result is someone else is doing what you planned on doing.

Being someone who is not picked, more than I am picked made me a little depressed.  Then I remembered something. 

John 15:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

I have been chosen, before anyone else every had the chance not to choose me, God chose me. 

 

 

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I was feeling overwhelmed. 

I looked up the definition of the word and it means one of two things: To affect someone very strongly, or to have too many things to deal with. When I ponder the word, the too many things to deal with is the definition that comes to mind.

I think we’ve all been there.  We have so many things pulling us in so many directions we don’t even know where to start. 

I find myself more times than not, crying out to God with overwhelmed feelings because I don’t know what to tackle next. 

Have you have been overwhelmed by the presence of God?

It’s not something that happens every day.  Day to day, life is so busy with the mundane that we don’t have time to notice the spectacular.  But if we stop to think about it, God’s love is overwhelming. 

I was hit with the overwhelming feeling of God’s love and I was amazed that the creator of the universe even knew my name. If we really were to stop and think about it, it’s the most wonderful overwhelming feeling there is.

^{Matthew 10:29-32}

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

³¹ Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

³² Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

 

 

Heaven

The Ultimate Vacation

 

 

Somewhere in time – actually, sometime in the future, I’ll be taking the ultimate vacation.

I started thinking about vacations this week – well mainly because I need one, but I can’t take one.  My husband and I used to go to the beach a few times a year.  I love the ocean. I love the look, the smell the feel. It’s just a happy place for me. When we go, I get my book and sit in the lawn chair and read.  I know, I know, I’m at the ocean, why aren’t I in the water?  Well, I do get the water sometimes, but the water is cold and I would rather read.

One of the fun parts of a vacation is planning it. There is the anticipation of the coming event and of course the few days with no work.  All of this is fun.  When the vacation is over, it’s the memories and the pictures.

Every day of our lives, we are planning for the ultimate vacation.  The trick to this vacation is we never know when it will start, but we are assured it will never end.

Revelation 21:19-21

¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

The really nice thing about this vacation is all you have to do is decide you want to come.  Asking Christ into your heart and surrendering your life to Him is all you need to do. Then your passage is paid and your ticket is issued.  Now you just need to wait for the timing to be right.

Happiness

Is Overrated

 

 

Somewhere in time, this last week, a well-known minister’s wife said that God wanted people to be happy.  This caused a stir as people denounced her, derided or and even defended her.  I listened to the short statement and I think we are making a mountain out of molehill. 

The thought is, do we derive happiness from serving God?  I know that serving God helps with the happiness in my life, but I don’t really think happiness is the key.  I think our quest for happiness is overrated.  If we think about how much time people spend worrying about why they aren’t happy – what must be wrong with them if they aren’t happy – when all we need is to be content.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 King James Version (KJV)

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Contentment is a little better than happy; because it comes with a peace and a trust that God has everything under control. 

Does God want me to be happy?  He gives me a lot of things I find happiness in, but I think he wants me to seek godliness and find contentment.