The Chosen

“Just as He [God] chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world…” Ephesians 1:4a ( NASB – brackets mine)

Carrie and Matt have a cat. Okay, poetry is not my forte, but the statement is still true. A few years ago, they tried to give us and everyone else in the neighborhood that cat. No one accepted the gracious offer.

I heard recently on a television show, where cats were the topic du jour, cats are not pets you choose, but rather they are pets that choose you. Since Bob and I are also cat owners, we tend to agree, especially in the case of Matt and Carrie.

Their cat wanders inside and out at will. It has exalted itself to a high and lofty position in their household. I’ve even heard rumors that the cat goes for walks with them without the constraints of a leash. My cat only follows me to the kitchen. I wonder why.

Now I’ve seen cats being walked by their owners on a leash, although not often. But never have I seen a cat that will follow you on a walk or to the neighbor’s house for dinner and then wait for you outside. It has been my experience that a cat will happily head for parts unknown if given half an opportunity.

Last week, Bob and I made a grocery run and down the street was Carrie, out walking their dog. The dog is older and suffers with bad legs. Today she had her entire backside in a sling, held onto by Carrie. The dog walked on her front paws with her mistress maneuvering the sling. Bringing up the rear was the cat. Readily following behind, the kitty kept pace with the two in front of her. I’d heard about this but it was the first time I saw it with my own eyes.

It’s funny that as hard as Matt and Carrie tried to unchoose that cat, their efforts were in vain. The cat simply had chosen them and that was the end of it. So now, life goes on for a cat that perhaps thinks she’s a dog with a claim staked on a family who lives on our block. This family has now chosen her as well.

This comical moment made me think of the “chooses” or choices, I make every day.

• What or who do I choose to follow willingly?

• What do I choose to follow through on – even if the object is skeptical about choosing me?

• Do my choices reflect a greater choice made in my behalf, even before I knew there was a choice to make? (This might not sound like it makes sense, just think on it a while)

From the beginning of time, the great God of the universe chose me. He chose you too. God created us and chose us to have an active and vital relationship with Him. However, God is all about us choosing back as well. Joshua told the Hebrew nation, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” Jesus told the crowd, “You can serve God or money, but not both.” You choose.

Over 25 years ago, I realized that one very big God chose to love one very pathetic creature – me. He chose to love me at my worst, so He could offer me His best and created in me a new life, filled with wonder and amazement. How could I not choose Him back! So I did and it was a choice, I have never regretted.

What about you?

Have you chosen to love the Lord that loves you? If so, how does that reflect in all the other choices you make during the day? Do you follow Him relentlessly? Or just wander in and out of His life as you please? If you do, maybe it’s time to settle down and let your life reflect that.

Choices, we all make them. I encourage us all to choose love. Choose life. Choose the Lord. In doing this you will be choosing wisely.

Love, Barbara

Come, Let’s Learn Something Today Together

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:18-20 (NIV)

I hated to back-seat drive but I did it anyway, “Bob, you are pulling in too close to her!” Bob slowed the car to a stop, just inches from the vehicle in front of us. My eyes rolled and wondered if the woman in front of us would judge us nuts for not leaving her room to move her car when she finished putting air in her tires.

We needed air in a tire as well. That’s why we stopped after church a few Sunday’s ago. Although I was in a hurry to get home and hopefully indulge in some Sunday rest time, Bob thought now was better than later to accomplish this small chore. He was probably right.

However, I quickly considered changing my vote of affirmation when the woman ahead of us turn and walked toward my side of the car, complete with air hose in her raised right hand. “Oh no! She is going to psssst me with the air hose!” was my first thought! I knew we’d parked too close to her!

Fortunately, an internal sense of decorum returned and directed me to open the window to see what it was she needed. I am so glad I did. She had such a lovely spirit about her. With the most beautiful smile, she inquired about where on her vehicle she could locate the correct pressure for her tires. I smiled, clueless, and instantly directed her to my fearless leader, who knows everything about everything.

Bob got out of our car to assist her as I muttered something about not knowing a thing about tire pressure. After all, that is what my husband is for! That’s when it happened. She turned and said in a coaxing voice, “Come on! Let’s learn something today together!”

“I like that! You’re right, let’s learn something today!” The words rolled out in astonishment from my mouth as I jumped out of the passenger seat. It was like one of those epiphany moments. After all, I never thought of an opportunity to help as an opportunity to learn – especially when the learning invitation came from the one you were trying to help! Well, you didn’t have to ask me twice.

I watched and learned how to work the mechanic pump. I learned to look on the tire or the inside sticker of the door to locate the right pressure for my tires. Bob even let me try out my new-found knowledge on one of our tires! The one we tried to help – helped us! I left the Shell station feeling empowered. A feeling, I would not have had, without such an intriguing invitation.

Jesus told us to go into the world to teach, preach and make disciples. I thought I was doing okay on that command, after all, I am a Bible study teacher. (Note: It’s really the Holy Spirit who teaches, I just hope to let Him use my mouth on occasion.) Yet, I wonder if we’ve forgotten that perhaps parting of teaching others while reaching others means learning from them as well.

I’ve always said that a teacher always learns more that the student, generally because of the preparation required in presenting a lesson. Then we also learn from class participation – from the thoughts and examples of others. But here I was in the middle of a ministry opportunity – never expecting a challenge to learn myself in this setting. It was, indeed, a refreshing moment.

I am not certain how the Holy Spirit will use this ministry moment in your life, but I felt compelled to share it with you! All I ask is that you ponder this in light of some of the opportunities that could cross your path during the week:

• When your child asks you how to something you are not familiar with….

• When your teenager isn’t sure how to check the oil in the car….

• When your friend has a question about Scripture that stumps you….

• As God sweetly calls you into a personal quite time with Him each day….

Then perhaps you can respond, “Come, let’s learn something together today!”

May we each follow the command to teach, while taking time to learn as well!
Barbara

Never Forget

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2 (KJV)

The flashing lights and screaming siren interrupted the flow of massive traffic on Beach Blvd. The local fire engine, weaving in and out of stopped vehicles, was directly in my path. Fortunately for me, it was headed in the opposite direction from where I was driving that afternoon.

Unfortunately, this is not an unusual sight in Jacksonville. Where traffic abounds so does madness. Not to mention, the normal every day occurrences of accident and illness where the mighty paramedic is needed. But what caught my attention on this particular day, about this particular fire truck were the words painted across the outside of the vehicle, just above the windshield. I believe they read: NEVER FORGET.

I am certain those words were a reference to September 11 and the terrorist attack we endured on that day. Yet, for some unexplained reason, my mind took off in another direction, something about not forgetting the God of my youth. What were those things I should never forget?

I will never forget the day Bob proposed to me. I will never forget our wedding or the day my daughter was born. I will never forget the day she married and the days my grandchildren were born. I’ll never forget the day my sister moved from this life to the next with the Father. So many things I will never forget.

I will also never forget the day I asked Jesus into my heart – even though I cannot for the life of me, remember the date. I will never forget my baptism or the first day I ever taught a Sunday school class. I’ll never forget the day Bob took my hand and I walked the aisle with him, as he gave his heart to the Lord. I’ll never forget the day my daughter publicly confessed her belief in the Lord.

Never will I forget the day God spared my child’s life after she totaled her car and walked away without a scratch. Never will I forget the day God walked with her and protected her as a bank robber held a gun to her head, and she 5 months with child at the time.

I will never forget the day the hospital bill came after I had surgery – with full knowledge the insurance company was not going to pay for it and the bill was only $25.00. I will never forget the comfort of Christ as we moved across the country and bountifully received new friends and blessings for our efforts.

I will never forget the look on Emily’s 13 year old face, as she nodded “no” when I asked if she had prayed to receive Christ and then shyly confessed, “But I am ready now.”

There are so many things we should forget. Such as the wrongs done to us, and the pain we suffered through a winter of discontent. We need to forget the times we failed and the things we hoped to gain but have not, thus far in life and indeed may never gain. There are so many things to forget and let go of because they are not worth remembering. They serve only to kept us in the past and stifle our forward momentum in life. The only things worth remembering here is the way God used each moment in question to teach us, reach us and conform us into the image of His Son. After that – remembering negativity may only continue to fuel negativity.

Ah! But there are so many other things we should never forget! Never forget the Creator! Never forget the God of your youth! Never forget the Savior of your present and the King of your future! Never forget the beauty of your life as it is covered with Christ. Oh my beloved friends – never forget!

I bless the LORD, with all my soul, and may I never forget all His benefits!

Praising God with remembrance!
Barbara