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!