Choices, Choices...

I am reading a book by Kevin DeYoung called, "Just Do Something" - And he so clearly demonstrates my generation's tendencies to be indecisive. I'd have to agree I very well fit into that category! But I'm learning and growing :)

I have been thinking lately about the many gifts and talents God has entrusted to me-- I am good at music and that's been my main creative outlet since I was around 12. But I also really enjoy and have potential in art, photography, writing, and baking...

I currently use writing at work (though it's audit reports - Bleh), and I randomly bake goodies to bless my friends and family. I am really starting to enjoy photography, but I definitely need to read my book and get to a place where I can more consistently and intentionally take good photos. I haven't done much with art in quite some time, but get me in an art store for a few minutes and suddenly I'm drawn to it... No pun intended! (But that was a good one, wasn't it?)

I would love to be able to perhaps use photography to earn some money... And I would absolutely love to have more time for music. Whenever I finish re-recording my demo I could send it to a record company... Choices, choices. So many options. DeYoung points out in his book that this is part of the blame in our indecisiveness! Don't I believe it!

But I just thought I would muse on the matter. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?

To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done!

Romans 9:16 ~ So then, it is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of the One having mercy, of God.

It is not by our wills, not by our efforts, but by God's mercy that we are saved. Sure, we choose to respond to God's offer of mercy, but that the offer was ever extended to begin with is purely His mercy-- For He can choose whomever He wills. And not only that, but without His intervention we were not even free to choose to respond-- For there is none that seeks after God, no not one.

And this is eternally comforting, in that He is 100% infallible and 100% capable-- And because of this we needn't fear that His salvation will falter, or His work fail. For not one will be lost of all that the Father has given, and no one is able to snatch us from His hands. ♥
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Better still, He is faithful to complete the work that He started until the day of Christ Jesus-- And He is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us before the glory of His presence with exceeding joy...

And it is He who works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure. There is no part of our salvation or our sanctification which relies upon our ability to be holy or righteous (or we'd all be sunk!). It is His Spirit at work in us and His sacrifice for us which sanctifies us and secures our eternal destinies.
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Thank God--And what a load of pressure off us! Not only to understand that I myself don't need to measure up to earn His pleasure-- But that I CANNOT measure up to earn His pleasure (yet He loves me anyway)... This is indeed oh, so freeing!

And what are we thus freed unto? Nothing less than a thankful heart of praise and gratitude. I think we all-too-often neglect the art of thankfulness-- Not just mouthing the words, but truly reflecting upon His selfless gift of salvation and pouring forth praises from a sincere and thankful heart.

Amen! ♥

Apathy

Apathy has no place in the character and nature of God as revealed in scripture.

Not apathy toward you, toward me--Not toward our feelings or joys, amusements or pain... He is not apathetic toward sin nor toward the plights of mankind.

Though He seems to delay, this does not convey apathy, but rather supreme wisdom, patience and love.

Amen.