Born with an innate and fallen predisposition to selfishness, we consistently make choices in which we will benefit most. As Christmas approaches and nights are quickly filled with holiday plans and parties, we nonchalantly turn down invitations to social gatherings that we do not “feel” like attending. Rather than acknowledging the kindness and hospitality of the host/hostess and even momentarily stopping by for a merry chitchat, we dismiss the notion of considering attending and plan to make an appearance at a different event that will more be more personally gratifying. The decision is purely selfish as we risk marring the relationship with a friend, family member or coworker so that we can heighten our social status or surround ourselves with the “in” crowd. As the number of invitations you decline increases, the number of invitations correspondingly dwindle down.
In the same way, God has divinely invited you to join Him in the eternally directed work He is already accomplishing around you. The absolute goal for God’s activity in your life is for you to come to know him more authentically. He desires you to take part in every task, whether grand or minute. Authors of “Experiencing God,” Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King warn, “Do not rule out any assignment, large or small, on the basis of your preconceived ideas.”
Your preconceived, and often inaccurate, perceptions will inhibit you from fully experiencing the joy-filled, rock-solid, glorious plan God has ordained over your life. As you obey the tasks God entrusts you with and as your character is molded by those experiences, God will lead you larger assignments. Every invitation to join Him is an opportunity to someday hear the words in Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
What will you do with your heavenly invitation? Will you dismiss it because you believe it is less significant than that of another individual? Or, will you leap in, head first, trusting God’s provision over your life and knowing that, in the process, this task is much more than an assignment. Your divine invite to contribute in God’s work is your corridor to a more genuine, exciting relationship with the King of the Universe.
Love wholly, live fully, rejoice daily.
Kels
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Invitation from a Friend
An adolescent girl, aged 14, stared in the mirror with anger. She blamed her father for the freckles and her mother for the thunder thighs. “Grotesque,” she whispered under her breath. With a disdain-filled heart and a broken, trembling soul, she made the first small slice across her wrist. A crimson drop splattered to the floor. The voice of a friend wisped through her tumbling curls.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you strength.”
The same young girl, four lonely and confused years later, accepts a party invitation from the senior football player at her university. She does not drink. She has not had sex. Yet. Her only desire? Acceptance. To feel beautiful. “Only this once,” she justifies as he slides her jacket off her shoulders, dropping it to the floor. Mr. Suave knows what he is after tonight. From the backseat of his car, that old friend softly speaks.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you value.”
Now a grown woman with her MBA, she rapidly climbs the corporate ladder. Her conscience has long been shredded and entirely disregarded. For the promotion, she lies. For the bonus, she steals. Money and fame have buried her under a woolen blanket of loneliness and greed. Alcohol never lets her down. She returns to the bottle night after night, to soothe her aching, lifeless soul. From the darkness, she hears,
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will bring you success.”
The solemn silence settles in the immaculate hospital room. No husband, no children. She lies along, dying. Questioning eternity or the lack there of, the nurse knocks and enters. She smiles warmly, bringing a blinding burst of sunshine into the icy room. Routine. It is time for vitals. The nurse gently clasps the woman’s soft, pale hand and gazes deep into her eyes. She does not have to speak a word.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you rest.”
The woman, no longer able to verbally communicate, slowly nods her head in complete acceptance. With her last breath, her tired eyelids curtain her eyes and the tension in her muscles subsides. The nurse knows. She is at home with her Father, her Daddy, her One True Love.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you strength.”
The same young girl, four lonely and confused years later, accepts a party invitation from the senior football player at her university. She does not drink. She has not had sex. Yet. Her only desire? Acceptance. To feel beautiful. “Only this once,” she justifies as he slides her jacket off her shoulders, dropping it to the floor. Mr. Suave knows what he is after tonight. From the backseat of his car, that old friend softly speaks.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you value.”
Now a grown woman with her MBA, she rapidly climbs the corporate ladder. Her conscience has long been shredded and entirely disregarded. For the promotion, she lies. For the bonus, she steals. Money and fame have buried her under a woolen blanket of loneliness and greed. Alcohol never lets her down. She returns to the bottle night after night, to soothe her aching, lifeless soul. From the darkness, she hears,
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will bring you success.”
The solemn silence settles in the immaculate hospital room. No husband, no children. She lies along, dying. Questioning eternity or the lack there of, the nurse knocks and enters. She smiles warmly, bringing a blinding burst of sunshine into the icy room. Routine. It is time for vitals. The nurse gently clasps the woman’s soft, pale hand and gazes deep into her eyes. She does not have to speak a word.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you rest.”
The woman, no longer able to verbally communicate, slowly nods her head in complete acceptance. With her last breath, her tired eyelids curtain her eyes and the tension in her muscles subsides. The nurse knows. She is at home with her Father, her Daddy, her One True Love.
Friday, December 3, 2010
My Oath
I, Kelsey RaeAnn Clevenger, daughter of David and Debbie, sister of Kristen, Davey, and Kevin, solemnly swear to keep up with my blog in a more timely and responsible manner. I promise to write more and post more till death do I part from technology and blogspot. I will cherish my passion to write and share the words that the Lord places on my heart.
The End.
The End.
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