Chooseday…

     Ever rescued a frog from the swimming pool? He got himself in there, but he can’t get out – and though he can swim, he can’t swim forever… So I take my net and scoop him in – but he hops back in the water before I can toss him in the grass. We do this ritual a few times before I win.

How many times has our Father tried to scoop us out of what we think seems like a great pool of fun? He tries and we hop right back in – we know best…

We start early in this knowing best – as a toddler we choose the ‘no-no’ thing and our mom swats our bottom, teens choose to try the forbidden and consequences teach them (or not), and so it goes.

At some point we stop hopping out of His safety net, that day is Chooseday. “Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness…then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 14:14-15 NIV)

But Chooseday becomes every day of the week when we walk in the courage of our Rescuer. Choosing to stay in His net or hop out and try it our way again. “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19 NIV)

Delighted in me? Yes, because dear one, once you chose His Son, no amount of net hopping will make Him give up on you. You are a cherished child, needing your bottom swatted now and then but delighted in by a Savior ready to lead you in the way everlasting…

“See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:24 NIV) We have many offensive ways, we live in a world of offensive ways, hurting hearts all around us. Chooseday is all about Living Braver as we empty ourselves of offensive ways and forgive the offenses of others…

 

 

 

 

 

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October 7, 2014 Practice A Braver Step

    A messenger in the kingdom was given an assignment. He was to travel far and near proclaiming the King’s words. His words would not be popular or liked by everyone. Still wherever he went he entrusted the message to someone he knew would be diligent in conveying the message to all. When possible he would send them letters of encouragement afterwards.

Sometimes we are given assignments that seem too big for us. Maybe at work we are asked to take on more than our normal workload, to fill in where we haven’t had any training. Maybe we volunteer and find ourselves put in the position of leading when all we wanted to do was help.  Often we feel like we’re the only ones who didn’t get the manual for marriage, or parenting, or financial independence. The familiar fear of failure begins to weigh down our hearts…

To fail isn’t an option because then all our ‘what ifs’ come true. With the dreaded failure comes condemnation from self and all those we have let down. Fear of failure finds us not trying…

In one province the messenger left a young man, really almost still a boy, in charge. The young man wondered why him? He was prone to stomach issues and frequent illnesses. Yet the messenger had given him the assignment: make sure everyone hears the Kings words. The letters of encouragement he received in the weeks and months following gave him the courage he needed to carry on. His latest letter had  said not to have a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound judgment.

What was the message the King wanted all to hear? Was it condemnation for their failures and consequences they would bear?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16NIV) The eternal message that no matter how things are now, eternity holds all you long for…

The King also said: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1NIV) Failure doesn’t define us – failure in a fallen world is inevitable at times. Fear only wins when we don’t try… Practice courage today, take a braver step…