The Best Place for a Fill-up

She sat alone at the table, absentmindedly eating her fries, as she contemplated her life. She’d been married just nine months now but already she was tired of it. All her life she'd dreamed of getting married, finding the perfect man- her Prince Charming. She knew that life would be wonderful then. But it wasn't wonderful; he worked all the time and rarely paid her any attention when he was home. Was this really all there was? Where was her happily-ever-after? Maybe if they had a child... 

He had just sat down with his order when he got the call that felt like a kick in the stomach. He couldn’t believe it! How could they have not given him the promotion? He’d worked so hard for them, putting in countless hours away from home and the family, to work on the project. They'd promoted the new guy instead. Suddenly, it was as if he was 10 years old again getting picked last for the kickball team in P.E. Would he ever get a chance to prove himself?

The girls sat together sharing dessert as they talked about pledge week. They just had to get into Delta Gamma Pi. If they didn’t their college lives would be ruined; afterall, anybody who was anybody on campus was a Delta.
None of the patrons noticed him at first. He was just a boy filling his cup at the drink dispenser. But as his behavior grew more and more exaggerated, he caught the attention of everyone in the place. At first glance, nothing appeared unusual, but as they watched his behavior grew erratic. As expected, he’d put ice in his cup, fill it and then take a sip. But that’s when his behavior turned odd. He’d make a disgusted face, dump it out and start all over again; each time growing more and more frustrated until he was yelling in dismay. That’s when the manager approached him. “Son”, he said “what are you doing?” The boy looked at him with tears in his eyes and said, “I’m trying to get a Coke but it keeps coming out Dr. Pepper. I hate Dr. Pepper!” The man said gently, “That’s because you’re placing your cup under Dr. Pepper instead of Coke. Here, let me fill it for you.” He handed the boy his cup now filled with Coke. He tasted it then burst into an enormous grin. “Thank you, sir!” he exclaimed, running out the door. The manger turned to face the other patrons and smiled. “That’s what happens when you try to fill up in the wrong place.”

Those words resonated like a gong through the heart of each patron. As one they realized they’d been doing the exact same thing as the little boy, not with their drink choices but with their lives. Each one had been trying to fill themselves up in the wrong place.

Have you ever expected fulfillment from something only to find yourself disappointed? I know I have. I've expected my career position to give me value. I've hoped education and learning would give me meaning. I've turned to my husband and motherhood to give me completion. And I've looked to the opinions of others to validate my worth. But none of them were able to give me what I was seeking, not in the long-term. It wasn't wrong to find value in these things. It was wrong to expect more of them than they could provide.

Each of us is created with a longing for significance. We search for it in many places but nothing on earth will completely fill the need. Relationships can't give us real meaning or define us. Neither career or position can give us true self-worth nor can allcolades or prosperity give us value. None of what we truly long for can be found outside of an identity through Christ. By design, He created us to yearn for Him by placing a God-shaped hole in our soul. Nothing else we try to fill it with will complete us except for Him.

Are you longing for significance in your life, lacking value or feeling incomplete? Are you seeking your worth from the opinions of other's? If you are, check to see what it is you are filling yourself with. You’ll want to be sure that you have placed your cup under the right dispenser. Each day, ask God to fill you anew. 
                                                                                                                                    ©AnnWilds

 
(repost from the archives)

 God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being ...
Acts 17:27 -28



How to Have Enough for Tomorrow


A part of the natural rhythm of life is working today to have enough for tomorrow. 


 
We see it in the animal world. The squirrel strives to collect nuts for food in the winter. The beaver gathers extra sticks and wood, in and around their lodge, to eat when the water freezes. They sense that a time of scarity is approaching and instinctively prepare to endure it.

We see it in history. In the book of Genesis, we learn how God provided Joseph with an interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. He did this to ensure that excess from Egypt’s seven years of plenty were kept in storehouses so that His chosen people could survive the subsequent years of famine. God knew what the future held and through Joseph provided for his people.

We see it today. Although in most of our homes, we no longer store our harvest in storehouses, we do place our money in the bank for the same purpose. When we need funds, we go to the ATM and make a withdrawal. But we can only take out what we've put in. Just like food, money runs out if we don’t work to replenish it.    

Yet, there is a place that runs counter to this natural rhythm, where a bounty does not need to be earned. There you find a surplus that can not be depleted. It needs no deposits from you; it's a continual gift that can't be earned. It's in God you have a heavenly ATM. He's your abundantly tender maker whose love is without end.

In His eyes you are never overdrawn because:

  • His love for you never fails- There is no greater power than the love of God. Nothing can defeat it. It can never be destroyed. He loves you, His precious child, with unfathomable fierceness. No emeny will overcome it. His love for you will not be shaken.    
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.                                                                                                                                                              (Lamentations 3:22)

  • His love never gives up on you- There is no limit to God's love for you. No matter what you have done, or will ever do, His love for you will not cease.  He knows even the darkest thoughts of your heart; nothing you do is a surprise to Him. Yet, His love for you remains inexhaustable.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.   (Jeremiah 31:3)

  • His love never runs out on you- People may abandon you but God will not forsake you. He is always by your side ready to carry your burdens, to shoulder your load. Should He feel distant it is simply because you moved. His love for you always stands true.  
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8)    


While there are many things in this life to be uncertain of, there is one thing of which you can be sure. You are, and always will be,  a treasured, much-loved child of the King.

Message for the Journey- 
Though food stores run out if not replenished and bank accounts empty if not restored, there is a treasure without end. No work is needed to earn it, no thief can steal it and no enemy can destroy it. At all times, in all things, God's great love for you does not cease.  All you need do is accept it.
©AnnWilds2011

 Yes, I am sure that neigher death, nor life, not angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the furutre, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 9:38-39)

Discover the Meaning of a Name

Have you ever heard the song, That’s Not My Name? It’s an unusual song by an eclectic group. It’s not the type of music I normally listen to but it is the type that can get stuck in your head. The lyrics are: They call me girl, they call me Stacey, they call me her, they call me Jane. That’s not my name, that’s not my name, that’s not my name, that’s not my name. Most of the lyrics are simply- That’s not my name. While they don’t incorporate a lot of creativity they are effective.


When we were expecting, we wanted to find just the right name for our daughter. We spent hours combing through name books and discussing their merits. Some I liked, some he liked, many neither of us liked. It took time for us to find just the right one we could agree upon.

Our parents named us and we name our children. Some opt for family names while others chose ones that sound melodious to the ear or have a meaning they hope the child will grow to fulfill. Some cultures even wait until meeting the child to select a name.   

As toddlers, we learn to answer to the name we’ve been given. When we go to school, we painstakingly learn to spell it one letter at a time.  Family and friends can give us nicknames, but we learn quickly that when our parents call us by our full name we’d better come quickly.

There are other names we acquire over time. They may come from siblings, teachers, parents, the world in general or even from ourselves. We may not verbally answer to these additional names but they can become our identity nevertheless. These type of names can include: ugly, stupid, nag, disappointment, liar, gossip, lacking, lazy, procrastinator, unwanted, angry, rude, clumsy, incompetent, impatient, gossip, mean, or simply failure.

But neither the names our parents give us nor the ones the world supplies are who we truly are. Only God can give us our true name. He does so as he knits us together in our mother’s womb. The Bible is full of stories of people who discovered and lived up to their God given name.  

  • His parents named him David; the world named him lowly shepherd, but God named him King. Through him a kingdom flourished.   
  • Her parents named her Rahab; the world named her prostitute, but God named her Helper. Through her a city was conquered and the lineage of Jesus flowed.   
  • His parents named him Saul; the world named him zealot, but on the road to Damascus Jesus named him Apostle. Through Paul the Good News was shared with the Gentile world.  
  • His parents named him Abram; the world named him childless but God named him Father of Nations. Through Abraham God’s chosen people were established.   
  • His parents named him Jesus; the world named him carpenter, but God named him Beloved Son. Through Jesus the world finds salvation.


The enemy loves to steal our true name from us. If he convinces us to answer to anything less, we lose our effectiveness and our power. Yet, he can only do what we allow. We can live down to the identity the world gives us or we can live up to the identity God gives us. The choice is completely ours to make.

Reject the false names when they come, sing out that’s not my name—those words need not just be lyrics in a silly song—and substitute your Kingdom one.  


God named a coward Mighty and an enemy was vanquished.
God named a fisherman Rock and a church was established.  
God named a murderer Leader and a people were led from slavery to the Promised Land.
God named a simple girl Mother and a Savior was born.

What might you do if you answered to the name God has given you?


Message for the Journey:

What name do you live by? Is it something like nag, cheater, angry, disappointment, liar, gossip, not enough, stupid, late, or simply failure? These may be names you’ve received but they are not your name. God names you words like beloved, cherished, friend, patient, courageous, forgiven, conqueror, delight, or encourager. The name you choose to live by will make all the difference.

                                                                                                    ©AnnWilds2012