Such a simple thought. Such a simple question. Such a tough choice sometimes.
Moment by moment throughout each day, I find myself at a crossroads. It's always the same one, when you come right down to it. The crossroads is not in every choice before me... I'm pretty sure I can pick which blouse to wear or what to have for dinner without having to face it. But in matters like how to spend a certain block of time or what to say about a person or how to treat someone, I often come face to face with it. Although I seldom recognize the question for what it is.
Will I pick me - or Jesus?
Very basic. Do I give time to Our Lord in prayer, or yield to a temptation to check blog stats first? (which almost always proves to be sidetracking). Shall I offer comfort to someone who's hurting, or tell myself I'm tired and in need of a bit of pampering. Do I tell a story that builds up my own ego, or direct attention to the gifts of another. Are the majority of my thoughts directed to God and His will and His people, or to me and me and me?
Will I pick me - or Jesus?
I prepare to publish this post. I've found three public domain images to use, and I pasted parts of them together into one image and the results don't live up to my expectations. I am a little embarrassed by it, to tell the truth. Yet actually, I think this smooshed together scene conveys the basic idea pretty well. So - do I never let you know of this 'semi-fail' and replace the image with something else? Or do I go ahead and offer the result to God and let Him use it as He wishes?
Is this post even making sense? I'm beginning to wonder. But could it help someone; could it give glory to God, just the way it is? I suspect it's only my own pride that makes me reluctant to click 'publish.'
The question rises before me. In all kinds of circumstances, large and tiny, the question (if I let myself hear it) is there.
Will I pick me - or Jesus?
In more situations than I'd realized, in ways I hadn't imagined, I keep having the chance to choose.
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI was more than a little embarrassed by my first podcast and wanted to delete it. But sometimes there are bigger things than looking good in other people's eyes. Good came out of my imperfect podcast, even if it just inspired Sophie to try podcasting too. And your photo? Actually I think it is wonderful. I'm sitting here wondering if I could do something similar.
Will I pick me or Jesus? I keep getting distracted by creative thoughts such as podcasts or photography. I hope God can use them in some way. But yes, I must try harder to focus on what is most important: God and make more effort to make the right choices.
Thank you for this post!
PS: 'Is this post even making sense?' Yes, but I don't think my comment does!
Your comment makes perfect sense, Sue!!! I can absolutely identify with your distractions in creative thoughts. O goodness, yes.
DeleteThis picture was my first-ever attempt at copying and pasting from one image to another. I would like to do it without it looking "ghostly" - that is, I'd like not to see through the copied image. I tried to fix this with the kneeling woman on the right, but kept making a bigger mess. I decided it was time to stop and move on! :)
Your post made perfect sense, and I would never have guessed you created the photo. I seriously thought an artist created it for just the purpose you are writing about. Maybe I'm not very savvy, but I get you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. I prayed to be led to just the right images (I knew what I had in mind) and - ding, ding, ding - there they were, immediately. It's nice to know the idea was "gotten" !!!
DeleteYou *are* making sense and your post helped me! I love all your posts! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lindy, for your really kind words!!!
DeleteThank you for this post. It's what has been going through my mind lately.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Aileen.
DeleteOh yes, your post certainly does make sense. In many ways the spiritual life boils down to your simple question: me or Jesus. I see this in my own life on a daily basis as well.
ReplyDeleteI have realized as well that often my reluctance or failure to hit "publish" is a reflection of my own pride ;) I laughed when I saw your comment because you hit the nail right on its head!
Oh, and have no doubt: the picture you pasted speaks VOLUMES.
Your sentence "t in matters like how to spend a certain block of time or what to say about a person or how to treat someone, I often come face to face with it. Although I seldom recognize the question for what it is." This is the real crux of the matter for me...seldom recognizing the question for what it is, saying something or thinking something you regret, coming face to face with an opportunity to be Jesus to someone and in review you found you were not Him.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to even see (hear?) the question, isn't it?! Thank you.
DeleteI would like to add notify me from my comment
ReplyDeleteI guess this happened if you clicked the box, Sherrybella? I've been on Blogger for 3 years now and STILL don't know how so much of it works! :)
DeleteI get such varied results using my mobile phone to type in comboxes. Sometimes I can't back up and correct mistakes in spelling.
ReplyDelete