The Umpire Makes The Call

WoW...When I started writing I had no idea how much time it could possibly take. Nor did I know I might have to feel inspired by something or someone or the lack thereof to put words on paper.

The past week has flown by with all its usual events.For most of us that means a work week be it away from home or at home. We go about doing the tasks our job demands while trying to be Light in the place God has placed us. We try to see the "bigger picture" and not all the annoying or bothersome moments of a day at work. We remain grateful for the blessing of a job in times when so many are out of work. For people like my husband and myself,  who work early or odd hours, we try to sleep while others are arriving home from the day at the office and the sun is still shining brightly outside our bedroom window. We try to be in the place He has put us ,despite the struggle within at times.

In my reading of the Word this week, as I traveled through the book of Colossians many things spoke to me.For example Colossians 3:23 and 24 talk specifically about " whatever your task or work at hand" to do it as to the Lord and not for man...or only the paycheck.It then spoke about knowing "with all certainty" that we will receive from the Lord our inheritance which is our real reward.That hit me in a real place.I guess I often think of rewards as being for those "very special Christians"...you know the ones that I am not! The ones who do everything perfectly and never struggle. The ones who only exist in my imagination and that satan uses as the measuring stick by which I can never measure up. But this verse helped a little.

I then was really spoken to by Colossians 3:15. It states this. " And let the peace, soul harmony which comes from Christ rule or act like an umpire continually in your hearts, deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state to which as members of Christ's body you were also called to live. And be thankful,appreciative, giving praise to God always".

Envisioning the role of an umpire helps tremendously in the analogy in this verse. Allowing the peace of Christ to rule,settle and decide with finality ALL the questions that arise in my mind,truly makes it a whole new ball game so to speak. My mind,emotions,fears,hopes,dreams all can cloud the vision of my daily life.But the "peace of God (in Christ), that passes all understanding" gives me another standard upon which to build my life.It ,as an umpire, calls the play by play action that ultimately can decide the outcome of the game,or my life as it were.

This has ,unbeknownst to me been happening for quite awhile now,in my life by the grace of God. I cannot bear to look at where life has me,my kids,our jobs,others I love...the world at large.It's scary and horrible and disheartening all at the same time.But somehow,daily and more often moment by given moment,I can sense His peace and that is enough.It takes me to a place I can live..and breathe..and have hope.Not in the tangible things of this world but in the world that I truly have a citizenship in..my Fathers Kingdom. I do not feel I have many bragging rights in this world. If I measure myself by my looks,or my occupation,my wealth or status...many other things I cannot even think of..as the kids say now EPIC FAIL. As I continue on this road of "walking by faith and not by sight" I see things that are really more real than my own reality.

It is because of this that I continue to cry Abba Father.That I continue to look inward and then  upward from where my strength comes from...That I continue to confess my pride,and weaknesses and deluded dreams and hopes to the One who Alone has the Knowledge and ability to renew my mind and thus change my heart,my vision.To Him be all the glory. Forever. And today in another inning of this game called Life.