Tuesday, April 17, 2012

too many choices paralyzes.....

I've never really considered too many choices being a problem, but I see that it is. Too many choices lead to no choice at all. No commitment.

If I don't choose, I'm not responsible.
If I don't commit, I'm not in charge.
If I don't have to sign up, I won't need to participate.
If I don't participate, I won't be accountable.
I can do what I want. No one will know.

Too many choices paralyzes.
To many choices leads to overindulgence.
Too many choices allows for lack of discipline.

The ala carte` living we so happily live yields few results.

What happens when we do commit?
What rewards does it yield?
What lessons does it teach?

Choose summer camp, for example.

There are so many options for summer camp. I like things about each camp, so collectively, if I could create my own camp which would meet the specific needs of each of my individually brilliant children, that would serve me best. So let's see, if I choose camp A, I'll miss out on camp B's benefits. Friends are going to camp C, but I like the opportunities of camp D. So maybe, I'll switch up and not commit to any, or bounce between all of them.

Now consider my commitment to camp E. There are pros and cons, but overall, I think my child will have a great experience. He may have a challenge or too, he may miss out on the cool thing in camp A, or camp B, and so on, but he'll maybe make life long connections with other friends with similar faith and values. And even if he has a struggle here or there, it will be ok, because he'll see God's hand and grow. But maybe that's too hard for me, so I'll make him camp out in the backyard after all. Happy summer camp, son!

We don't have a choice problem, we have a commitment problem.
We don't have an abundance problem, we have a faith problem.


a new day

a new day, different from others
captured in light,
I saw it!

first sighting, 1999, leaving church and driving into the west, the light traced the edge where sky met earth and in my spirit, I knew God was with me, bigger than me, stronger, more, and I was at peace. I was awed.

another sighting, a dawning, an awareness that God was near, the glow around individual persons as they ministered, served, loved, and lived God in there lives.

the brightness comes and goes and at times I blink and wonder what I've seen. It is awe-inspiring. It is awe-some.......

and today, I captured it on my cell. I watched as men of God prayed over a speaker, one called to go and encourage pastors and the light overcame them, so that there individual forms melted into a symphony of light.

It's a new day, and God gave me the eyes to see and I am in awe.