Friday, April 10, 2009

What Did God Make You For?

Our minister, Don McLaughlin, inspired us so much Sunday in his sermon, "Seeds of Hope." You can listen to it online, but let me give you the short version of how it encouraged me.

First, Don quoted a story about how seeds are used as tools, weapons, jewelry, but it's only when we plant them that they are truly used for the purpose that God intended. And just as the seed dies to give life, we must die daily to all else but Jesus to reach the purpose that God intended for our lives.

So, ask yourself, "Am I being used for what God made me?"

My answer was, "God made me a talk show host, speaker and writer to win souls for him, to encourage others and to strengthen their faith." Am I used that way every day? Unfortunately, no. But having that as a mission statement will focus me to surrender to his will daily.

Then Don reminded the Christians in the audience, "You signed up for this!"

The part that convicts me is the writing challenge. In addition to two personal blogs, a work blog, two monthly e-newsletters and assorted work writing, I feel called to write books. I have five viable projects in various stages. But something is holding me back from completion. I really think these books will help people, encourage them or strengthen their faith. But I am stuck.

Maybe a little Miracle-Grow (sleep), water (focus and prayer) and rich soil (exhortations like Don's) will cause my book-writing seed to sprout!

What about you? Are you stuck? What do you need? Think about what God made you for and head toward it.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Double Vision

My contact was irritating me so much that tears were streaming out of my right eye. Some moments, I could see just fine and then a minute later, it was as if the contact had fallen out--I could not focus at all.

I got home and yanked the contact out of my eye with a sigh of relief.

The next morning, I started to put the contact in and realized there were TWO contacts stuck together. Don't ask me how that happened!

So often, we are irritated, or we can't focus or get a vision of the future. Then, in hindsight (pun intended) we realize that the issue bothering us could have been easily solved.

If life threatens to rob you of your joy, take a deep breath, say a prayer and ask God to show you the simple solution.

And if you wear contacts, always insert only one lens per eye.