keys

I was listening to the radio yesterday and heard a short blurb for a website, www.groundwire.net. The guy was relaying an experience he had when younger. His older brother was driving, him in the backseat and their mother riding shotgun. At one point, the brother switched lanes but when their mother thought he wouldn't have time to get back over, she took the wheel, pulling them back into the lane. As a result, the brother lost control of the car and they ended up off the side of the road, in some water. The mother later admitted that she should have trusted her son's judgment and not interfered. The guy then brought his point home. What about us? How often do we hand God the keys but then try to take back the steering wheel when things don't seem to go as we think they should? Do we honestly think God needs our help? Why is it so hard to trust God and let Him take us on the road we need to be on? If we can relinquish that control to Him, we can simply enjoy the ride and not panic that He'll make a wrong turn.

hey batter batter

I recently made the decision to sign-up for a co-ed softball team at my church. I was temporarily forgetting that a) I've never played softball and b) I'm not a big fan of objects coming towards my face (thankfully I was put in the outfield :-). Our first official practice was last night and I was quickly reminded of both the things I failed to recall when signing up. While standing at home plate, bat in hand, eyes focused on the pitcher (and yes, I was picked to bat first), I couldn't help but wonder what on earth possessed me to do this. After a few strikes, a little boy off to the side told me I was swinging too high - indicating that yes, I had just hit rock bottom :-). But the night wasn't all "oh, I wish I wasn't here" - I actually had fun. Several others were just as inexperienced as I so I didn't feel as if I was the weakest link or would be voted off at the next tribal council.

The whole point of the experience is not to be all about winning (though I do enjoy a good victory) but to fellowship (I'm not sure everyone on the team shares the same sentiment :-). It's about laughing with others and not being afraid to strike out (both figuratively and literally). I have no idea what's in store for our first game next week but I know we're going to have a good time and be able to look back and smile.

while you wait

"Would you like something to eat/drink while you wait?"
"Can I get you something while you wait?"
"Here's some bread until your food is ready."

Have you ever noticed the attention given to waiting? Even those at restaurants who provide us with service our called waiters/waitresses. I've been thinking about the whole idea of waiting and how it's not just sitting still until whatever you're waiting on does finally happen. I think I've posted on this topic before and we've discussed it in the college ministry at my church (http://www.rcikynetic.com/) but I think it bears repeating.

While waiting is a test of your patience, etc. what we do while we wait is just as important. There are countless examples in the Bible of those who either waited obediently on God or who took matters into their own hands, thinking God needed their help. Um, hello, He is God.

There's a song currently playing on the radio called "While I'm Waiting." In it he talks about the things he's doing while waiting on God because as has been pointed out before, the word 'wait' is a verb, meaning it's an action. So since all of us are more than likely waiting on God for something, how are you waiting?

speak up!

I got a haircut the other day and have to laugh at the attention I’ve received since then. People who I hardly talk to take the time to say they like the new ‘do I’m sporting. What I find the most funny is when guys tell me they like my hair (since I don’t think of them normally paying attention to such details). All day long I had been debating to either play it safe and go with a trim or walk a little on the daring side and cut off several inches. This was a big decision for me; only I could decide what's right for me. No one else could choose for me what I would do with MY hair - even the hair stylist was only able to do what I asked.

Reese Witherspoon, in the movie "Legally Blonde 2," addresses the members of Congress, relaying a prior hair experience gone awry. She talks about how she was sooo excited to finally have an appointment at THE place to get your hair done. However, she was sorely disappointed due to the fact that the colorist used the wrong color, the shampoo girl used the wrong shampoo for her hair type and the stylist had the nerve to give her a bob…with bangs. Yet though her first visit was also her last visit, she admitted that no one was to blame except herself for the tragedy her hair suffered. She encouraged all those listening to speak up when suffering an injustice; to not sit idly by and do nothing.

It’s our responsibility to ask for and go after what we want; we can’t expect it to be handed to us. It’s our duty, in the words of Elle Woods to “speak up for the land of free gift with purchase.” Speak up!

unqualified

I've been thinking about how God uses people to bring about change that are often the most unlikely of choices. He uses those that most might overlook to accomplish His plans on this earth and I find that really cool. In the Bible, there are countless examples of people who God called to do things they felt they were no where near capable of carrying out. Moses, Gideon, Esther, Mary, Jonah, the disciples - all people who were average individuals that God used in above average ways.

The same is true today. God still uses people who appear to have nothing to offer but when they willingly allow themselves to be used by God, become vessels of change. When we say yes to God, we admit that on our own we're not capable of doing what He's called us to do but we're trusting Him to give us the strength and ability to do what He's asking us.

I had the privilege of hearing Joyce Meyer at my church last fall and she talked about beginning a 'love revolution.' She made a comment that has lodged itself in my mind and any time I feel that God has come to the wrong person for what He's asking, it will replay itself over and over. She said that God often uses the things in us we're the most insecure about. In her case, she said she doesn't like her voice because it's deeper than most women but yet her career centers around her voice.

I think God likes irony because it does away with our plans and ideas, leaving us to throw up our hands and say "Ok, God. I give up - let's do it Your way." We know on our own we're unqualified and unable to do what He asks of us. It's only by setting aside our agenda for His that He's able to work through us and make us qualified.