Choose Life (Part 2)

Choose Life (Part 2)	Next Chapter: A Dangerous Prayer
"...I have placed a curse on the ground. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. All your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return." (Genesis 3:17b-19 NLT) The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23 NLT)
WOW! These are very different Bible passages. Yet, both contain a promise from God about what the future holds. The first one, in effect, says, "I never promised you a rose garden." In that case, I guess I can’t very well complain too much when I don’t get my rose garden. Then there’s the second passage that describes the banquet God prepares for us. It reminds me of that great line I love in Auntie Mame 4, "Live, live, live! Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our misery, our loneliness, our sorrow, our poverty of spirit that we miss the banquet God sets before us. I recently watched an old movie and was struck by the thought expressed by the character of Otis, "Things change, always do. You’ll get your chance. Only thing is, when it comes, you got to grab it with both hands. Hold on tight." When I am deep in the ashes of despair and misery, it is really hard for me to remember that things do change—always. Life does not go on the same forever. And when I’m that deep in the ashes, I have to be very careful and vigilant or I may miss the chance when it comes.
Dear Lord, please help me to enjoy your world whether it is sunny or raining. Please help me to enjoy and love my own life, regardless of the circumstances I am in, knowing that you are always there with me. Amen.
Questions for consideration... Right now am I in a Rose Garden or a Thorn Garden? Was there ever an opportunity I missed because I was afraid to grab onto it? What in my life keeps me from grabbing onto opportunities when they come my way? What are 3 things I can do to prepare to grab onto the next opportunity?