Get the Remote … and Press PAUSE!

What amazing technology we have today!  If you want to grab a snack while watching a show, just press pause – and whatever you’re watching just stops and waits for you to be ready!

It wasn’t that long ago that my kids were my “remote.” 

“Can you please change it to channel 13?”

“Can you please lower the volume?”

Now, nothing needs to be missed!  Just press pause . . .

Wouldn’t it be awesome if there were a pause button for life?

I can just imagine all of the bad, impulsive and stupid decisions that could have been avoided – if only I’d had a pause button!

I could have pressed ‘pause’

         before I went there . . .

         before I bought this . . .

         before I did that . . .

         before I said it . . .

Today I read in the book of Luke, chapter 14 (verses 25-30) about counting the cost.  It says that I should “count the cost before building.”  Jesus was talking about counting the cost of discipleship, of following Him. 

         BECOMING a Christian is free. 

         BEING a Christian has a cost.

Jesus said to count the cost before building.

So how do I build in my life?

         I began to build when I said, “I do.”

         I continue to build in the lives of my children.

         I want to build in all of the relationships I have with people.

         I really want to build in God’s church and outside of God’s church.

And I thank God that HE is my source of strength and wisdom to do all that.  When I am so often weak, He is strong.  When I have no answers, He always does.  He never disappoints me.

Jesus also said to count the cost of battles.

So what battles do I have?

         I have the battle of daily choosing right over wrong.

         I have the battle of fighting temptation in all sorts of things.

         I have the battle of choosing to love above all else.

And again, I can thank God that He is my Overcomer!  He goes before me in all battles and conquers when I choose to do it His way.

Lord, I pray that I will learn to press “pause”

         at every crossroad in my life

         with every decision I have to make

         with every temptation that I face

         with every motive and attitude that I battle         

I give You an invitation to come to guide me and to remind me of Your ways.

Click!   Pause …