Some entered with joy. Others, fear. Some felt relief yet some felt pressure. Many made New Years Resolutions; many didn't. Some cooked black eyed peas and collard greens. Some didn't. It's all a matter of Principle vs. Preference. Walk with me as I lay the foundation...
Principle: A rule or belief governing one's personal behavior.
Preference: The right or chance to so choose.
Now I'm sure by now, you've all heard about "the homeless man with the golden voice", Ted Williams. If you haven't, be sure to check him out but in a nutshell, Ted was a homeless man for many years then in the blink of an eye, was "discovered" on youtube. Almost immediately after millions of hits, he was offered job opportunities by KRAFT, The Cleveland Caveliers, and the Ohio Credit Union League to name a few.
As I continued watching his story unfold on the news, one thing that stuck out to me was his testimony. Not acknowledging GOD for ANYTHING before, Williams continued to give God the glory for his Second Chance (emphasis mine). He quoted one particular scripture in the bible that many of us memorize but don't live by...Proverbs 3: 5-6; "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths." Are you serious? I thought as I continued watching...
What Ted did for me was what I thought I did for others, encouraging soldiers to trust God entirely. In reality, I was the one ready to throw in the towel. After seeing Ted, his story led to this blog. Principle VS Preference.
Now...back to square one:
Principle: A rule or belief governing one's personal behavior.
Preference: The right or chance to so choose.
The reason I chose Ted for this blog's inspiration is because of the principles in which he lives by. According to news reports, he's never thanked God for anything BUT once he began to Acknowledge Him in ALL his ways, God began to direct his paths. This is the type of faith we as God's children should walk in daily. It's really sad that some of us allow the enemy to creep in and use us to walk in our preferred ways.
Preferences. Doesn't it sound and sometimes feel good to say, "I prefer this or that."? Or maybe, "that's your preference, not mine."? Or perhaps, "I prefer to praise, trust, and give thanks to God when it's convenient for me."? Doesn't that feel good sometimes? It does to me...Giving me a sense of affirmation, allowing me to be in control, to express my freedom. Welp, maybe this free will is the very thing holding us back from the full blessings of God and is putting a stunt in our growth...
See, while we're busy expressing ourselves and as long as we're telling ourselves and others that we have opinions, that we have rights, that we have options, we're really pushing Him away and trusting in us...Now don't twist my words. Believe in yourself BUT remember that HE entrusted you with you. Ahhhhh....Are you getting it?
If you're reading this and aren't feeling or understanding what I'm saying, I'm sorry. Let me apologize right now. Maybe this particular blog wasn't for you, but I am SHO NUFF ministering to myself. Lately, I've found myself questioning God and asking, WHEN will things begin to move? WHEN will things start to change? WHEN will You show up and show out? WHEN? WHEN? WHEN??? When...I should be giving thanks until WHENEVER He shows up and fulfills all promises He's made.
My mom, bless her heart :) was talking to me a while back and she was sharing how she was feeling with me. She said that she kept talking to God and reminding Him (as if He had forgotten) that since we're His children, it's time for us to look like His children. Do you know what He said to me after I asked Him that in private? I said "God, I'm your child...WHEN will I start looking like your child?" He told me, He said..."when you start behaving like My child". I almost jumped through the roof! I mean how simple is that??? Simple, yet complicated. And it's ALL GOD...
So to end this thing, I just want to ask how many of you reading this will live by principle or by preference? I know it won't be easy (if you've been living preference after preference and are ready to "prefer" principles *insert smile here*) but if you trust in the Lord with all your heart...He WILL direct your paths. I believe bigger and better opportunities will begin to knock at your door. Will you be the one to open it?
Keep the faith people and never give in. Don't give up on God because He won't give up on YOU. You made it to see another year. You're alive today because GOD said YOU'RE WORTH IT!!!!!! Make the best out of this year by applying His principles to your life daily. I'll be praying for you. Always remember to keep Him first in everything you do. You're always on His mind because He created you, you :)
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