Have you ever found yourself reflecting on the path that your life has taken and wondering how different things might have been if you had gone right instead of left, stopped rather than kept going, spoken and not kept quiet? Yesterday I found myself in a situation with an hour or so to wait for some family members to join me for an appointment. As I looked around I saw people going about doing their jobs, one for which I had studied very hard for a number of years. I had decided to change course after a couple of years and ended up with a totally different career. I reviewed the outcome of my decision to change direction and wondered how different my life would have been if I had stuck to my first choice. "Hmmm", as a good friend always says spelling it out!
When I was eventually joined by my party, a younger sibling also had occasion to reflect on her life choices and voiced her questions about how different the day would have been if she had made different decisions also. "Ditto" I thought. But there is no way for us to know whether our positions would have been any better than they are presently. We know for sure things would have been different but the question becomes different good or different bad; there's no way of knowing and perhaps that's as it should be. It would be impossible to live with complete knowledge of every possible outcome for simple minds such as ours!
Then I got to thinking; Isn't God just awesome! He knows every possible outcome. He also knows exactly which road we will choose and how our lives will be lived out in the final analysis! He knows what is good for us and better still, exactly what is best for us. He knows when we have made a wrong turn, a wrong choice because we fail to consult Him or listen to Him. Yet He never leaves us nor forsake us! He is with us to the uttermost; even if we "make our bed in hell",He is there with us.
So why do we not realoze and accept that God Knows All things, sees everything from the beginning to the end, wants to guide us in the Way, the Truth and the Life, Has a love so deep and wide that He gave His Son to die for our restoration to an intimate, Father-walk with Him through every situation, every step of life's journey? Why do we make decisions without consulting Him, why do we ask but not listen and obey our Father's direction?
Isaiah 30:21 is a reminder by the prophet that the Lord is with us, not just as a passive Bystander allowing us to make poor choices but He is actively encouraging us to become all that He has planned for us; planned and destined before we were born. The text advises us: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left". This is a promise from our Divine Creator, Our Father God!
Over the years I have accepted that I mess up all the time, making decisions and choices for the wrong reasons. Or,for the right reasons at the wrong time and a million variations that all come down to one thing; they are MY decisions to have My own way - Zaidie-centred thinking for Zaidie-centred benefits that leads to Zaidie-centred problems! I am thankful that God is patient, long-suffereing, merciful and kind to His wayward daughter. I am thankful that I have learnt to trust Him more and more. I am thankful that I have leant to rest upon His promises because of His grace in giving me greater undertanding and divine wisdom.
I am not sorry about the road I have chosen to travel in my life. I do not regret the decisions I have made at my various crossroads because I Know that my Lord walks with me today and He will be with me to the very end of time! I know that every experience is a lesson to be learnt, a message to be shared, a testimony to be published abroad by words, deeds and thoughts. I know that Romans 8:28 is the whole truth and nothing but the truth: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose".
Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is indeed out of sight;it's difficult to know what will be the consequences of today's choices on tomorrow's outcomes but we know Someone who does! That Someone is Jesus! Let's depend on Him to guide our decisons as well as our footsteps because He cares for us. He not only knows what's best,He desires only the best;His best for us. Love & Blessings. LadyZaidie
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
A big little word
"But" is a big little word that can destroy lives, destroy one's future, ones's dreams, hopes and salvation. Let's look at a few of the situations that this little word controls. A motorist says to a group of pals:"I was gonna take a taxi but I can't be bothered with the hassle to come get my car tomorrow so I'll drive us home; I'll be careful". There was only one survivor when his car filled with 3 friends collided with the SUV of a couple refturning from a week's holiday.The family of 4 died and so did the driver and 2 of his friends!
"Mum and Dad would kill me if they knew that I am having sex with a boy I just linked with on facebook but it's just some harmless fun; I'm not hurting anyone", said the young teenage girl. Sometime later as she lay dying from AIDS; her family is devastated, Mom and Dad are blaming each other for not being better parents, and she realises that she will not live long enough to celebrate her sixteenth birthday.
"Doing homework is just too boring. I should really do it but I'll just play on my PS3 for a while". The homework never got done and that was just the beginning of a pattern of behaviour that led to a failure of all exams and no high school diploma!
"I would like to be a doctor but..." "I wish I could ... but..."
"I want to commit my life to God but..."
Think about the power of that little word "but". It has the power to determine what kind of life one lives, how one lives, and even if one actually keep living at all. Even more importantly, whether one has eternal salvation or not often depends on whether we find an excuse to say no to God. "But" so very often really means "no". The Apostle Paul says that he desires to do good but he finds himself doing the wrong that he does not want to and all of us can relate to this sentiment.
In truth there is a war that wages for our minds, bodies and spirits. Our sinful nature is at war with our Creator; we joined the rebellion against His Kingdom when our first parents choose to break the Father's command in Eden. Yet this has never caused Him to stop loving us; wanting us to "come home" to Him. He implemented His Plan of our Redemption; giving His only Begotten Son to die for us on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus obediently suffered crucifixion and death to save us even while we were the ones killing Him! Greater love is not to be found in this or any other world.
"But" is a big little word indeed but there is an even bigger little word and that is "love". If we love God with all our hearts; if we love each other; if we make a choice to accept the gift of salvation and be like Jesus, then love, God's love will assure us an eternal inheritance as sons and daughters of the Most High God; Sovereign Lord of Heaven and earth and all creation!God is Love! "But" may be a big little word alright but surely there is no bigger little word than "love" - it is the greatest!
1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Meditate on Love. Blessings to you all. LadyZaidie
"Mum and Dad would kill me if they knew that I am having sex with a boy I just linked with on facebook but it's just some harmless fun; I'm not hurting anyone", said the young teenage girl. Sometime later as she lay dying from AIDS; her family is devastated, Mom and Dad are blaming each other for not being better parents, and she realises that she will not live long enough to celebrate her sixteenth birthday.
"Doing homework is just too boring. I should really do it but I'll just play on my PS3 for a while". The homework never got done and that was just the beginning of a pattern of behaviour that led to a failure of all exams and no high school diploma!
"I would like to be a doctor but..." "I wish I could ... but..."
"I want to commit my life to God but..."
Think about the power of that little word "but". It has the power to determine what kind of life one lives, how one lives, and even if one actually keep living at all. Even more importantly, whether one has eternal salvation or not often depends on whether we find an excuse to say no to God. "But" so very often really means "no". The Apostle Paul says that he desires to do good but he finds himself doing the wrong that he does not want to and all of us can relate to this sentiment.
In truth there is a war that wages for our minds, bodies and spirits. Our sinful nature is at war with our Creator; we joined the rebellion against His Kingdom when our first parents choose to break the Father's command in Eden. Yet this has never caused Him to stop loving us; wanting us to "come home" to Him. He implemented His Plan of our Redemption; giving His only Begotten Son to die for us on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus obediently suffered crucifixion and death to save us even while we were the ones killing Him! Greater love is not to be found in this or any other world.
"But" is a big little word indeed but there is an even bigger little word and that is "love". If we love God with all our hearts; if we love each other; if we make a choice to accept the gift of salvation and be like Jesus, then love, God's love will assure us an eternal inheritance as sons and daughters of the Most High God; Sovereign Lord of Heaven and earth and all creation!God is Love! "But" may be a big little word alright but surely there is no bigger little word than "love" - it is the greatest!
1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Meditate on Love. Blessings to you all. LadyZaidie
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Undercover Love
Are you one of those people who has to pararde every emotion, every thought, word and deed to the whole world to get a response, validation, affirmation whatever? Do you wear your heart on your sleeve occasionally or all the time? If you hurt, do you want everyone around to know and notice? How about when some good stuff is happening with your life; are you one of those individuals that want all your friends to celebrate with you? What about if you do something you are ashamed of, what then or if you do a good deed?
We all have our own way and we all do things for different reasons. But I think we should be sure that we do not risk living our lives for other people's approval or disappoval. We need to examine why we do the things we do, and what is the benefit of our actions and approaches to the experiences of our life's journey. There should be careful choices about the things we share, the things we publish and the things that we keep under wraps. Equally, we should choose our audience very carefully. There are some matters where the Jesus advises us to perform for an audience of One.
For example, when you help a person in need you should do so privately even anonymously if at all possible. Don't do it so that others can applaud you or the recipient can heap praises on you. Show your love, do your good deeds for the love of God only; for the love you have for Him who first loved you and have so blessed you. Do your good deeds in SECRET and the only One who sees and knows will reward you openly! So keep your love and your acts of love UNDERCOVER. God Bless you OPENLY! LadyZaidie
We all have our own way and we all do things for different reasons. But I think we should be sure that we do not risk living our lives for other people's approval or disappoval. We need to examine why we do the things we do, and what is the benefit of our actions and approaches to the experiences of our life's journey. There should be careful choices about the things we share, the things we publish and the things that we keep under wraps. Equally, we should choose our audience very carefully. There are some matters where the Jesus advises us to perform for an audience of One.
For example, when you help a person in need you should do so privately even anonymously if at all possible. Don't do it so that others can applaud you or the recipient can heap praises on you. Show your love, do your good deeds for the love of God only; for the love you have for Him who first loved you and have so blessed you. Do your good deeds in SECRET and the only One who sees and knows will reward you openly! So keep your love and your acts of love UNDERCOVER. God Bless you OPENLY! LadyZaidie
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Choose To Be Chosen
Do you feel at peace with yourself? Do you question your purpose,wonder what's next, try to see just where the road ahead is leading? How do you choose?
I have been thinking about the matter of being chosen by God. When we give our lives to God,make the wisest possible choice to serve Him,it is not because we have been smart enough to figure that it is the best thing to do and the best person to be and the best road to take.
The truth is that we of ourselves would not, cannot choose the best life which is in Christ Jesus. In our sinful state we never seek after the Lord;it is He that seeks after us!He is the Good Shepherd that seeks after the one lost sheep that strays into danger.He is the King that steps down from His throne and exchange place with a degenerate rebel in order to restore him to an eternal life of perfection, peace and prosperity in the Kingdom of Love and Righteousness.He is the One who stands at your heart's door knocking;asking you to hear His voice,receive His love,return to your position and your inheritance as a child of the Most High God;the Supreme Ruler of the universe!
In other words, you are called and chosen by the Lord. You have not chosen Him, He has chosen you and He will keep on choosing you every single day of your life! You are special.You are royalty.You are worth more than all the silver and gold in the world.You are valued so much by God that He became a man and died in your place;in my place.You and I are so special not because of our choices.Not because of our self esteem or pride.Not because we are smart and make smart decisions.Not because we are wise and stay out of trouble.Not because of our parents,where we are born or when. Not because we have earned anything of such great value.Not because we've got it all together.We are special because God considers us to be special!So very special!!
He chose to create us.Then,He chose to save us when we rebelled against Him,went to war with Him,turned our backs on Him,disobeyed and continue to disregard Him.He chose us to be His very own children;sons and daughters.HE CHOSE so that You and I can CHOOSE life or death;eternal life with Him or eternal death and non-existence. CHOOSE TO BE CHOSEN.
In order to be sure of our identity,our purpose,our place and our destination we only have to make one decision.That decision is to accept that God has,is,choosing you right now and He will always choose you as His own.Choosing to accept that God chooses us will settle all the questions that I started out asking,perfectly. So whether you are living with certainty or confusion is not the first or most important question.The first thing is to choose to be chosen by God and then all your answers will line up with that fundamental reality.You will live a divinely chosen life designed by the Divine Himself for us.I like to be special.I want to live a special life.I choose to be a Chosen of the Lord!What is your choice?
Love and Blessings
LadyZaidie
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