Sunday, February 24, 2008

Just shoot

I'm upstairs in our playroom listening to the bounce, bounce, bounce of the basketball just outside. It is my son. It is a good sound, the continuous dribbling with an occasional pause as he shoots. He practices out there a lot of evenings between homework and waiting for Dad to arrive home from work. Dribble, dribble, shoot. Dribble, dribble, dribble, shoot. Never moving the ball down the court; it is just a driveway with a hoop. But dribbling just the same. I suppose he is waiting to get his nerve up or just waiting for the perfect timing or perhaps that sweet sense that occurs just as the ball "needs to be shot". Whoosh! There it goes again!

How much time we spend waiting for the perfect shot. Dancing around the edges rather than stepping confidently into our place of purpose. Half-hearted attempts to know Him more. A Hokey-Pokey type of existence summed up with "you put your right foot in, you take your right foot out". Never fully committing to that which we have been called to. Our purpose.

So as for me, well it's time to stop dribbling around the court. It's time to turn my eyes toward the goal and take the shot. Releasing control of the ball. Putting aside the desire for my own perfect game. Surrendering all fear of failure. Giving my all over to this God that has proved Himself over and over. It is time to trust Him fully. Time to seek HIM earnestly. Time to live wholeheartedly for HIM and in HIM. Time to let HIM bring me into my own land of milk and honey. My purpose place. The purpose He created me for, that which will bring HIM glory.

Praise HIM!
Numbers 14:24 "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

1 Kings 8:22-24 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today."

Joshua 14:7-9 "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' "

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. "

15 comments:

Angie said...

"letting go now
i’ve never held onto
You more tightly."

This is a line from a poem at http://psalmpoem.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-02-21T18%3A29%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1

As you take aim and let go of that ball, I pray that you would feel His presence like never before while you hold His hand. Emmanuel is with you.

The swoosh comes early on (in the stepping out in faith as you are doing).

Praise You God for inspiring our sister to be strong and courageous as she enters her Promised Land. Help her feel your strong comforting presence each step of the way. In Jesus' name, amen.

Kim S in SC said...

Sweet Angie! Thank you for your prayers! I praise Him for the opportunity to take another step with HIM!

Greg C said...

Great ,message. I too am at that point in my life. It's time to stop dribbling and go ahead and shoot. I am no longer afraid of failure for God is with me.

duopastorale said...

Great post. I find that actually understanding what our calling is, is a great challenge.

Kim S in SC said...

Greg: It is good that God is with us!
Mike: I agree with you, I think that I have hesitated so long because of that very thought..."is this what you want" After much prayer and time in His word, I hear HIM say, "how long do I have to tell you?" :)

TO BECOME said...

I so enjoyed your post, Kim. Isn't it a wonderful thing that we don't have to hold on to the Lord, He holds on to us and He will never let us go. love you, Kim, connie from Texas

Kim S in SC said...

Connie: Thank you for your comment that once again fills me with peace because of what you stated "He holds onto us" !Praise HIM!

Angie said...

I heard my husband talking to the kids last night about "shooting on the move". He said so often we take too long to plant our feet and square shoulders to the goal that by the time we're ready, we have defenders all over us. He said this technique is highly effective. I couldn't help but think of your story as I listened to that.

Seems to me that this approach throws the enemy off because we are so in tune with God's plan that he doesn't have time to thwart His purposes! Praise God!

Tony Parsley said...

I hope I don't double post-Anyway, I wanted to say that was a great post.
Loved it. Thanks for the encouraging words.
Much love,
Angela

Kim S in SC said...

ANgie:Love that! Releasing the ball thwarts the enemy! Another reason to keep letting go! Thank you for sharing that!

Angela: Thanks for your encouragement!

Praise HIM!

a woman who is said...

Jos 14:7 I was forty years old...
I love that Joshua wasn't just a young kid who had no fear or wisdom. He believed God's goodness for him even after years of life’s trials. Great post! I am inspired and encouraged to keep on going for it, especially to "shoot on the move" as Angie puts it. What else can we do? We have got to go for all we can in Him now!

Kim S in SC said...

A Woman Who IS: I love that insight!

Susan Skitt said...

Hey my dear, I'm in the game with you, pass me the ball, I'll pass it back and we'll make a team effort shot! (smile)

Great thoughts my friend. Good Biblical insight.

Kim S in SC said...

Susan: Nice to know we are not on the court alone! Thank you for all your encouragement! :)

Anonymous said...

I so enjoy reading your blog. Whenever I need a pick me up I just come here and your writing make me smile.

Gidget

"Weighting" on the Lord

Let this be a place of encouragement for you in your own walk!