The Lesson of an Apple

I haven't written in this space in more than a month, and there are many reasons why, which could fill a couple of blog posts. I soon hope to be back on a more regular basis. :)

In the meantime, I want to share a brief lesson I learned this morning - from the gift of an apple.

After nearly a week and a half away, I returned to the island on Monday, and though I enjoyed my recent adventures (more to come on those!) truthfully, it was good to be "home" - to my peaceful and beautiful island.

Before crossing the waters from mainland to the island, a visit to a Jinja supermarket is always in order - to pick up the "essentials" like coffee, toilet paper, soap, and niceties like apples.

Apples are kind of a delicacy here since they are not grown locally and are brought in from the farther and cooler, mountainous regions. They are sold in the supermarkets and by pound are considerably more expensive than other tropical fruits. However, apples remind me of my American home and the yummy fruits grown there. :)

Since Monday, God had put a particular fellow staff member, Peace, on my mind. I had bought two apples in Jinja and God was prompting me to give her one. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were super busy with classes, exams and other activities at school that I didn't get around to the request. But this morning, on Thursday, God reminded me of His directive - give Peace one of my apples. The prompting grew stronger and I knew I couldn't let much time pass before I obeyed.

Sometimes when I feel prompted or convicted to do something, I run through a gamut of questions - "What will I say?", "Will they think I am silly?", "What if I am hearing incorrectly?". But obedience by faith means acting even when you don't have the answers to your questions.

I walked into the kitchen where Peace works as our cook. I placed the apple on the cupboard. "This is for you," I said.

"Oh, my 'best,'" she said, meaning apples are her "favorite."

"Thank you...you made my day," she said sincerely and gratefully.

Made her day? I didn't know the gift of a small apple could make someone's day, but God knew. God knew apples were among Peace's favorites and that she needed some encouragement. I had been clueless.

Afterward I was overwhelmed by thoughts of God and His care - for Peace and for me, for the smallest details which go often unnoticed by others, and for inviting me to be part of what He is doing in our world.

I don't share this lesson for a pat on the back as I was rather dense to what God was up to. But I want to illustrate the importance of simple obedience and how God wants to bless us as He blesses others through us.

I learned a few things this morning - don't ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit, don't despise the smallest gifts, and don't miss a chance to extend a blessing to another person.

Choices

Choices. We make them daily and daily they make us.

Lately I have been thinking about choices in light of seeing and catching up with people since being back home. The changes in their lives seem more evident to me - someone who has not seen them for a year and a half.

I rejoice over the "kids" who are graduating and entering college or the next "life" chapter God has opened up for them. It is amazing to see young people discovering and flourishing in their gifts and talents. I delight in the growth of friend's children and the little ones they have welcomed into their world while I was across the globe.

Some people and their professions or activities really haven't changed so much in these past months. But, perhaps they have grown, matured or expanded their vision in some way.

The evidence of some choices is difficult to discern. But over time choices and habits - good and bad - even if apparently small - can and usually do catch up to you.

I grieve over some dear to my heart who have chosen a path - away from God, away from family, and away from an amazing future in the center of God's will. Seeing how far they have continued down this proverbial "wide way" is very saddening.

I am proud of those who in their younger years chose such a "destructive" path, but now are doing their best to "make things right" and regain the life and relationships they lost. I have a cousin who is doing this and I am so proud of her.

For each of these groups of people, and those I haven't mentioned, their lives are and have been shaped by their choices. Some decisions were well thought out and some were rash and almost instaneous, but resulted in life-long consequences. Some have only earthly results, and others have both earthly and eternal repercussions.

I have and do regret the choices I made not to make certain choices, if that makes any sense. And, I am sorrowful over choices made that I would erase in an instant if possible.

During one of our weekly girls' Bible studies on the island, one girl asked me if God knew Adam and Eve would make the choice that they did in the garden why He didn't forewarn them. I am sure that is a question that has been asked everywhere from children's Sunday School classes to university campuses. I attempted to answer Agnes and explain the idea of a free will. After my feeble attempt, I concluded by telling her she could ask God when she got to heaven. : )

God did give us a free will. And I believe it was so that we would choose to love and serve Him, and not be robots that do what they are told because they don't have a choice.

Our days and our lives are filled with choices. And our choices most often determine the next step and our future - earthly and eternal. Our choices affect those around us and those who will come after us.

We do not have to be the product of our circumstances, environment, past, or relationships. God has given us free will and choice for a reason.

"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, 'Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, 'Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." - Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NIV)

Each day we are given a choice - to choose life or death, blessings or curses. We can choose to draw closer to God or walk away from Him. We have the option to recognize Him as "our life" as verse 20 says.

You may have already firmly set your feet on a path of life and blessings by determining to love and please God as He commanded in the above verses. But there are very likely people around you - older, younger or peers - who are struggling with such choices. Some may not realize they even have an option to choose life. Or perhaps do not really understand where their daily and life choices will eventually take them.

Will you choose today to not only pursue life yourself, but help others find that path as well?

"Depraved Indifference"

I watched the following video last night and was convicted, which is a good response. I am praying that the conviction will lead to a change in my thinking, and then to responsive action.

I believe every Christian should see this presentation. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He left us with a clear and straight-forward command - "Go, and make disciples..."  As followers of Christ, that is our mission. How are you and I fulfilling this "Great Commission"?

P.S. I highly encourage you to visit the Ludy's site, http://www.ellerslie.com, as well as the related sites which you can link to from there. I believe you will be blessed, challenged and encouraged.