Then, the man heard a voice speak to him, Have you ever told a lie, the Master asked? The man answered, “Yes, Lord.” Have you ever been given too much change and kept it? The man answered, “Yes, Lord.” And, the man sobbed more and more.
Have you ever taken something from work that wasn’t yours, the Master asked? The man answered, “Yes, Lord.”
Have you ever sworn, using my name in vain? The man, crying now, answered, “Yes, Lord.”
As the Master asked many more times, “Have you ever?” The man’s crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer, “Yes, Lord.”
Where do you want to go? Who do you want to be? What do you want to accomplish? What possibilities is God waiting for you to fulfill? Could it be your marriage, your job, a relationship with a child, or a task that seems monumental, even insurmountable? Often, it only takes one more effort. Do not give up too soon. Persistence pays off.
CH (BG) Charles “Ray” Bailey, Take A Knee.
I woke up Saturday morning with my grocery list, knowing that I was going to bbq smoke a brisket all day. As the cashier rang me up she stated, “15.35” and I thought to myself that sounds too little because the brisket was around $70, but I figured she misquoted or I misheard her state 85. I drove all the way home, and something was nagging at my mind about the $15 so I checked the receipt and confirmed the cashier forgot to scan the brisket. I went back and had the same cashier rescan the label.
Now, some of you might think this was probably a blessing from God and it probably could have been for some of you, but not for me. Having been a thief, and no longer practicing taking advantage and trying to find how I can get over, I couldn’t in good conscience (my heart said, “No”) keep $72 in change.
Just like the quote from Ray Bailey, I had to ask myself, Who do I want to be? I know I don’t want to be a thief anymore. It doesn’t feel right. That’s why I went back. Besides the fact I needed more groceries to finish my bbq, it was the right thing to do. I didn’t even have to return to that specific store for the other items I needed, but I knew in my heart I had to pay for the brisket.
We’re all given an opportunity in each moment to express Who We Are. It’s all wrapped up in our choices. As small as some of them may be, each choice reflects our character, our self-image, and our values. We think it’s not a big deal, but it is. It matters if you care about Who You Want To Be. As for me, I seek to deepen God’s love and wisdom in me each and every day. If that means I go back to the store to pay for an item that was missed, then that’s what I need to do. Each choice is a heart calling.
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
Proverbs 4:23, Christian Standard Bible.
I know for me, a simple choice can lead to bigger things. And often, I don’t know how my current choices might affect future choices. I just know what I want to feel in my heart. I want to feel true to God, I want to feel connected to His love, and I want to know His wisdom more. I encourage you to do the same.
Comments