Think

  Sometimes bad things happen.  

 

 
Our world might seem to be completely falling apart.  Whether it is the death of a loved one, divorce or illness.  It is probably something different for everyone.

2013 was just a bad year for me.  It’s now two years later and I still think about that year.  There wasn’t just one terrible thing.  Two of the most traumatic things that ever happened to me in my adult Christian life, happened in the same year.  Which is kind of ironic, because I started off the year planning on doing whatever necessary to make it a better year than 2012. 

If I could turn back time, I’d definitely do some things differently.  But hindsight is 20/20 and when you are in the midst of whatever you’re going through, it’s hard to see the right thing to do and unclear what you’re looking at or dealing with.

At the time, I did my best do make wise decisions.  I prayed constantly seeking God's guidance in each situation.  I went to see my parents to seek their counsel.  I spoke with a dear friend.  But I seemed to have no control over anything but my own behavior and I trusted God to get me through the difficulties.  

Now, it's all behind me but what I struggle with is my thinking.  I do pretty well when I’m working or around a lot of other people.  It’s when I’m alone that is the problem.  My thoughts turn back the clock and I dredge up everything from 2013 and go over it.  It’s NOT like I can change any of it.  It’s NOT like my thinking will make any difference to anyone involved in the situations or resolve any problems.  It’s over and done with.  So, I need to NOT think on these negative types of things but to focus on the big picture and what God has done through these trials.  He took terrible things and made beautiful things.

In case you are wondering, this is a picture that I took in 1997 and has been hanging on my wall everywhere I’ve lived since then.  It has faded a bit but I still have the negative.  (Yes, this was before we had a digital camera or even a cell phone with a camera!)  

When I took the picture, I just thought it was a beautiful sunset.  When I got it developed, I thought the same thing.  I hung it on the refrigerator and a few days later, my husband and I both noticed a face in the picture.  Then we were astounded by it and showed it to everyone.  I blew it up to an 8X10 and hung it on the wall.  I noticed more faces in it and even an image of what seems to be Jesus hanging on the cross with His arms outstretched and His head bowed down.  This is my favorite Jesus picture. :)

So, I use this to make a point.  When we are too close (or in the midst) of a bad situation, it’s difficult to see what we should be focused on.  But as we step back a bit from it, slowly things become more focused and we can see more clearly.  

There will be TRIALS in our Christan lives.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  James 1:2-3

As far as my thinking…I try to do this :) 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

Chosen

I am convinced that we were created with a deep desire inside of us to be chosen. 

I remember when I was in first or second grade at Shirley School in Missouri being the next to last person to be chosen for a game of softball.  It was a terrible feeling standing there waiting and watching all the other children be chosen ahead of me.  But how relieved I felt when FINALLY my name was called and I went over and stood with my team. 

Now, I think about the last poor child who was left there un-chosen.  He wasn’t picked so he had to be on a team that didn’t choose him.  That had to be much worse than being chosen next to last.  I imagine he grudgingly picked up the bat and swung when it was time, full of bitterness that he was making any type of effort toward a win when nobody really wanted him on the team anyway.  I wish I could say that he made a home run or won the game for them but I don’t remember any of that.  I really just remember how great it felt to finally be CHOSEN.

This is why getting engaged is such a big deal for women.  They want to be chosen above all the other women in the entire world.  They want to believe they are special and the only person their love would desire to spend the rest of his life with and that nobody else will do. 

It’s the same thing with a new job or promotion.  When we are passed over and another is chosen, we take it personally.  We want to be chosen. 

I have to say, even at a very early age in life, I KNEW I was chosen by God.  My dad was a Primitive Baptist Minister and taught me that truth.   

However, in my mid-twenties, one night I chose God.  (Mind you, I was already a Christian.)  But I didn’t understand the life changing magnitude it would have on me to choose God.  To say to Him, sincerely from my broken spirit, “I’m surrendered to Your will in my life, whatever that may be.”  

This is when the relationship truly began because before then I was trying to be a Christian.  When I chose God in this way, my life changed.     

As much as we desire to be chosen in life, God wants us to choose Him, too.

I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on your laws.  Psalm 119:30