Box of Chocolates:
Picture a box of chocolates. You know those fancy boxes that have the chocolate company name in gold proudly printed on top. The box is open and you are given the opportunity to pick two for yourself. You look down at the neatly nestled varieties in all their shapes and sizes. You breathe in their united chocolate aroma, as your hand hovers over their tiny swirled tops. Why the hesitation? Why the uncertainty? Why not just grab two and be done?
Because you have learned at some point that not all chocolates are equal. That somewhere in the confectioners' history timeline, there was someone who thought fluffy pink cherry filling would be a big seller or maple nut centers would have them on their knees. Well, at some point you were on your knees alright, spitting the thing into the nearest trash can. Forrest Gump even commented on this hidden trap, waxing poetically, how in a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get. Surprise! ack! So did you give up on these cute little morsels? No, you adapted with the fine art of hovering. Carefully sizing up the configuration of each piece, knowing that what matters is in the inside. That this is not a unified body of sweet treats, but a box of good and bad.
Jeremiah 15:19 "If you will extract the precious from the worthless,I will make you My spokesman." The Lord challenged Jeremiah to separate what would be of use, from that which was useless - for only then could He work through Jeremiah's life. But like looking over a box of chocolates, that task can be very daunting when everything looks the same. How would Jeremiah be able to see clearly in order to separate?
In the sentences that are prior to this charge, God lovingly gave Jeremiah the key directive to be able to perform such a feat. "If you return, I will take you back"...in other words, you come to me Jeremiah and I will be your eyes, I will be your voice and I will whisper in your ear my wisdom. By staying close to God, Jeremiah could see through the cloaks that try to mask the worthless things that lead to decay and see clearly the things that are precious and good.Like that simple box of chocolates, it can be a little confusing when we try to, on our own, to decipher exactly what is of value in our lives and what is worthless. We sadly end up in our walks just hovering, and never fully being used of the Lord. But when we draw close to God, He promises to draw near to us ( James 4:8 ). And through the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to see things we never saw before.
Just like the small map that is hidden underneath the lid of some chocolate boxes, we are guided to the good and precious things, that please the Lord. And in the same manner, be are able to discern and throw out that which is worthless and can cause us harm. So be encouraged my friend, like Jeremiah, God desires for you to be close to Him and to be able to use your life for His glory! Chocolate is just an added benefit :)~Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Diamonds are not forever..
Diamonds are not forever
On September 2nd, 2009 Gregory Randall escorted his true love, Linda Messerman, down a narrow, white, wooden pier in San Simeon, California. The old boards creaked under their feet as they strolled hand in hand. With the Pacific Ocean stretched out before them, they breathed in the sea air at the end of the picturesque pier. Gently turning Linda towards him, Gregory stoops to one knee and opens a small box.
The 1.2 karat diamond glistened in the afternoon sun. He gentle plucks the custom made, white gold ring from its nesting place and proceeds to propose to Linda. She holds her breath and listen to his loving words and then answers, Yes. Maybe it was nerves or the excitement in that moment, but Gregory’s fingers lost all memory of the precious ring that they held. Stumbling to regain the grasp, the tiny ring bounced and fell through the splintered slats of the pier and into the sea below. The clear diamond still glistened as it entered the water, until the murky green engulfed it 20 feet below. It was gone in an instant.
After reading about such a disappointing event two groups can quickly emerge; those that would quickly say that it would never happen to them. And those that are more prone to say, yes I could totally see that happening to me! I am personally more of the later group. Regardless, the question lies exposed to all, What do we do when things do not go as planned? When ideal dreams slip away or good ideas sink into the murky depths. What do you do? How do you react to the feeling of the delete button being pushed on a gift, or that all your time and energy towards a goal is erased? How do you cope?
The story goes on to say, after a noble attempt by the local Sherriff’s underwater rescue team armed with an underwater detector, the ring was officially declared lost at sea. Despite of the consequences, I believe that Gregory Randall realized that he gained more than he had lost. His lovely Linda had answered yes. The ring was only a token, a gift. The real value laid in Linda’s acceptance, in their love relationship. With that in mind, Gregory surmised to look on the bright side. “Maybe a fish ate it and a fisherman will catch the fish and find the ring. Maybe the fisherman will be down on his luck and it will help him.”
Gregory could let go of his ‘ideal proposal.’ He could move on because his priorities were right, not that the ring was not special, but it was not what held their relationship together. We too can let go. When our castles of sand wash away, we can know that it is ok, because the Creator of the universe loves us. Our relationship with Him, is more important than our plans or gifts. That we would continually allow things, whatever they may be, that glistens or distracts us, to dim in the light of our Lord. Under His direction and His love, we can move on, possibly even leave it to someone else as a blessing. May we pursue our eternal loving relationship with our Lord and never allow the temporal to eclipse that pursuit. John 17:3 “And this is eternal life. That they may know You, the only true God”
On September 2nd, 2009 Gregory Randall escorted his true love, Linda Messerman, down a narrow, white, wooden pier in San Simeon, California. The old boards creaked under their feet as they strolled hand in hand. With the Pacific Ocean stretched out before them, they breathed in the sea air at the end of the picturesque pier. Gently turning Linda towards him, Gregory stoops to one knee and opens a small box.
The 1.2 karat diamond glistened in the afternoon sun. He gentle plucks the custom made, white gold ring from its nesting place and proceeds to propose to Linda. She holds her breath and listen to his loving words and then answers, Yes. Maybe it was nerves or the excitement in that moment, but Gregory’s fingers lost all memory of the precious ring that they held. Stumbling to regain the grasp, the tiny ring bounced and fell through the splintered slats of the pier and into the sea below. The clear diamond still glistened as it entered the water, until the murky green engulfed it 20 feet below. It was gone in an instant.
After reading about such a disappointing event two groups can quickly emerge; those that would quickly say that it would never happen to them. And those that are more prone to say, yes I could totally see that happening to me! I am personally more of the later group. Regardless, the question lies exposed to all, What do we do when things do not go as planned? When ideal dreams slip away or good ideas sink into the murky depths. What do you do? How do you react to the feeling of the delete button being pushed on a gift, or that all your time and energy towards a goal is erased? How do you cope?
The story goes on to say, after a noble attempt by the local Sherriff’s underwater rescue team armed with an underwater detector, the ring was officially declared lost at sea. Despite of the consequences, I believe that Gregory Randall realized that he gained more than he had lost. His lovely Linda had answered yes. The ring was only a token, a gift. The real value laid in Linda’s acceptance, in their love relationship. With that in mind, Gregory surmised to look on the bright side. “Maybe a fish ate it and a fisherman will catch the fish and find the ring. Maybe the fisherman will be down on his luck and it will help him.”
Gregory could let go of his ‘ideal proposal.’ He could move on because his priorities were right, not that the ring was not special, but it was not what held their relationship together. We too can let go. When our castles of sand wash away, we can know that it is ok, because the Creator of the universe loves us. Our relationship with Him, is more important than our plans or gifts. That we would continually allow things, whatever they may be, that glistens or distracts us, to dim in the light of our Lord. Under His direction and His love, we can move on, possibly even leave it to someone else as a blessing. May we pursue our eternal loving relationship with our Lord and never allow the temporal to eclipse that pursuit. John 17:3 “And this is eternal life. That they may know You, the only true God”
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