CHOSEN, A PATH AND PRAYERS

Our Sunday School class is studying Ephesians and so far, we have discussed chapter one.  Chosen, a path and prayers are words that describe part of this chapter.

CHOSEN

Know what it says?  It says we were chosen “before the foundation of the world.”  Now if that does not make us stand up and shout and jump with joy and --- realize we are not an afterthought.  God didn’t make the earth and sun and moon and plants and sky and sea and animals and air and then say, “Wonder what I can create now?  Color?  No.  I think there are plenty of colors.  The number of animals is perfect.  Trees are looking good.  They will look amazing when the leaves change color.  There is that color thing again.  Sure glad I added color.  But there seems to be something missing.  What could it be?  Man I just think ….. Man?  Now that would be an interesting idea.”

NO!  God had us in his heart before he created the foundation of the world.  This ole planet is a miracle in how everything works together.  It was all planned out.  And we are not an afterthought.  We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

CHOSEN – what a word.  Chosen:  selected, picked, preferred, wanted, desired.  And, are you ready?  You are chosen.   

Now you can stand up and shout and jump with joy.  YOU ARE CHOSEN ! ! !

A PATH

The next verse says, “having predestined us to adoption.”  The word predestined seems to cause confusion.  Thankfully, our minister explained the original meaning of the word predestined, as used in verse 5.  It means God set us on a path.  Now how absolutely cool is that.  First we are chosen and then we are put on a path, although we do seem to have a bit of trouble staying on that path.  And we have to decide – make a choice – to follow the path to being adopted by God. 

The disciples wondered how they were to know the way.  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6

Time to let all that excitement out.  Not only are you CHOSEN, there is a PATH and now you know the way. 

PRAYERS

Paul told the Ephesians he did “not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.”  Wow.  Double Wow!  Paul prayed for them.  Can you imagine how that made them feel?  Here is the number-one-spreading-the-Good News-guy-of-the-hour and he was praying for them.  While he was in prison!! 

And this was not some general, feel good prayer.  Paul prayed they would have wisdom.  And knowledge.  And hope.  And know the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance.  And know of the exceeding greatness of God’s power toward them.  And that Christ is over all.  Now that is praying!

We so easily pray for others.  Willing pray for others. 

Now think about someone praying for you.  Placing your name upon God’s ears.  Does that make your heart leap with joy?  Make you feel humble?  Make you feel grateful?

= = = = = = = = = =

Celebrate each day and remember:

YOU ARE CHOSEN

JESUS IS THE PATH TO BEING ADOPTED BY GOD

PRAY FOR OTHERS and INVITE OTHERS TO PRAY FOR YOU

THREE PEOPLE

A friend asked this question today on Facebook:   What three people, living or dead, would you invite to dinner?

I did not hesitate.  I immediately knew.

PICK ONE:  My grandma.  I am sure I have mentioned her before.  She lived with us in the winters and grandkids took turns staying with her in the summer.  I absolutely loved – love – that lady.  I never saw her wear anything except a dress.  She made great mush.  She loved us.  She knew her Bible!  Even those hard to pronounce names.  In her, I saw faith.  A deep faith that was true and honest.  She lived knowing she would pass from today to forever. 

Yes, I would invite my grandma.  I would hug her and then I would thank her.  Thank her for building a foundation under me, one day at a time. And I never realized she was doing it.  I would invite my grandma.  I would seat her at the head of the table.

PICK TWO:  Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Did you just make a questioning face?  Did you wonder why Mary and not Jesus?  I know about Jesus.  I know what He can do for me. 

What I want to know is how she felt when the angel told her she was picked.  Of all the women in the world, Mary was picked.  Wow, does that ever beat being picked first for dodge ball.  I want to hear stories of Jesus as a baby.  When did he walk?  Was he always good?  Did he torment his siblings?  Was there a food he refused to eat?  Did he do his chores when told?  Was he a good carpenter?  Was he excited to begin His mission?  How were you able to stand at the foot of the Cross?  I would seat Mary across from my grandma.

PICK THREE:  Now, if you were surprised when I picked Mary, you better hold onto your hat for pick three.  I would place this person between grandma and Mary.  I would sit this person right there where these two women – so strong in their faith – could turn to hear the answer to one question:   Do you still believe what you wrote? 

I wonder how Charles Darwin would answer. 

< < < < <  > > > > >

What three people would you pick?

TIME STANDS STILL

I have read The Noticer and The Noticer Returns, by Andy Andrews, a number of times.  In The Noticer Returns, Jones is speaking, “Time is an odd thing.  Christmas Eve for most adults lasts about as long as most other nights, but for an eight-year-old, on that particular night of the year, time slows to a crawl.” 

A second is a second.  A minute is a minute.  An hour is an hour.  These are all true statements, but they are also not true.  Or, they seem not true.

A MILLION STARS

One night, years ago, Bill and I were in a very small and extremely interesting town - Ennis, Montana.  Would you like to fish for rainbow or brown trout? This is the place.  Want to eat breakfast with the locals?  You will need to arrive early at the drug store or you will not find a seat.  Want to have time stand still?  It can happen here.

We were staying in a place on the outside of town.  It had been a long day, one last sip of water and off to bed.  At about three o’clock, I made a trip to the little room and headed back to bed.  Then I saw them.  STARS!!!  A sky full of stars.  I stepped outside and time stood still.  For a brief moment, I was the only person in the universe and I was surrounded with stars.  They seemed so close I thought I could touch them.  They were so bright.  And quiet.  For a brief moment, time stood still and I was given the gift of wonder.  Time resumed and I woke Bill up, dragged him outside and we stared at heaven. 

BESIDE A HOSPITAL BED

Our daughter has had a number of surgeries.  The family is always given a minute to tell the patient goodbye.  (Never liked that term.  How about tell the patient you will see them when the surgery is over?)  Anyway, every time I have stood beside that bed, time stood still.  I am sure no one else realized it.  Or maybe it was standing still for them too.  But as time stood still, I had time to take a deep breath.  To prepare.  And, in less than what seemed like an eternity, I was able to turn and walk away.  And time resumed.

A GOOD BOOK

Now there is nothing that can make time stand still like a good book.  Others see the hands on the clock move.  Others see the time go from 1 to 2 to 3.  Not me!  While I am helping Jack Reacher solve a mystery (written by Lee Child) or sit at the coffee shop with Father Tim (Jan Karon, Mitford Series) or crashing through Platform 9 3/4 (Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling) or accompanying the crippled woman as she walks toward Jesus (The Bible, Luke 13:10-17), time stands still.  When I close the book, you would think I was on the Millennium Falcon and Hans Solo had the pedal to the metal.  When that book snaps shut, time resumes and somehow I have to catch up with the clock.

Time is an odd thing.  Sometimes a minute lasts an eternity and a lifetime seems so brief.  And sometimes, time stands still.  Time stands still so we can see a million stars.  So we can receive the strength we need.  So our imaginations can travel the world.

A DESPERATE CALL

The other day I read a true story, in the Reader's Digest, about a young girl at her wits end. Up till now she thought she had no reason to live. Addiction is rough to overcome. But in the other room there was a reason to try again.  A reason to succeed.  A child. 

But how?  Then she remembered a slip of paper her mother had given her.  On that paper was the name of a Christian counselor. She took the paper out and looked at it. She folded it up.  She looked at it again. Maybe it was time she called. She dialed. She waited. A man answered the phone. She could tell he had been asleep.

She began to talk.  Telling her story quickly, the man on the other end of the line listened.  Occasionally, he would acknowledge he was still there.  Finally, she slowed down.  Her voice was calmer.  Her breathing was deeper.  It was then she realized she had talked for a very long time.  From 2 AM until 4 AM, she had told a complete stranger her deepest fears, her worst sins, her addiction.  She told about her child and how this time she must succeed.  She must......

Suddenly, she realized this Christian man had not once judged her. Not once had even talked about God.  She asked, "Why have you not said anything about God?"

The man replied, "I need to tell you something but was afraid you would hang up.  Promise you will not hang up."  She agreed.

"I," the man said, "am not a counselor.  You have the wrong number."

They continued talking.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What would you do if you were the wrong number?  What if, at 2 AM, your phone rang and the voice on the other end said, "My mother gave me your number and I need to talk."

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Would you listen?  Would you encourage?  Would you patiently wait for the person to finish?  To become calm?

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, 

put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Colossians 3:12

Or would you say, "You have the wrong number."  Hang up.  Go back to sleep?

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,

for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

What would you do if you were a wrong number?