Learning

Choices

© 1999 Debbie Turner Chavers

Joshua 24:15

It began simply enough. A directive followed by a reply, " But I don't want to.."
There was not an argument, nor was there much else to say once the clear direction of a stated intention was made known.
But I don't want to..
The words had been stated emphatically, by one who knew their own mind.
A mind that is still growing, still in the process of learning the effect of decisions.
I had spent many hours of helping, of showing a clear way, of setting a disciplined example, and yet the age old struggle.

The one who was learning a life lesson, taught me something.

A clear course of action had been instituted and many encouragements given.
I had said, "You are not a quitter", "You CAN do this" " Nothing is ever accomplished if you don't try. Just try."

After all of my efforts and encouragement, I experienced a moment of clarity that was delivered with the emphatic reply of a four year old.
She stated succinctly, "But I don't want to", as she threw herself backwards in the chair..away from the goal in front of her.

Ah! I thought, "There it is!"

From a small child to the grave each individual is in the life changing process of choice.
As a child we are generally presented choices that are age appropriate. If a child's "want to" is not matured enough to agree, then there is wiggle room in the choosing.

But all choosers are not 4!

There are adults in our lives who have not matured in their chronological age and are still pushing past all established boundaries with emphatic life statements and life choices of "But I don't want to.."

If after our best efforts are met with " But I don't want to.." My first response personally is prayer and then action.
I have learned that no amount of "teaching" will ever be absorbed by an unwilling pupil.
I don't want to...means "I don't want to..

Gain your life back, take your time back, sow somewhere else.
The world is a huge field of opportunity.
Obviously the majority of us are not teachers by trade.
Yet, everyone is learning and teaching someone and something everyday.
Our lifestyles and our choices set examples and give a witness in this world of who we are and what we value.
So the next time you meet a brick wall of opposition...consider the role you are choosing. Pupil or Teacher?

~Debbie

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Power Struggle

© 1999 Debbie Turner Chavers

1 Corinthians 6:12

Water-Man Series 

** If you click on the art parable painting title you will be redirected to its website for more information about the painting. Click on these links http://artparables.com
All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography, copyright © 2016 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James Version bible which can be accessed online at http://biblegateway.com

Dominion

Power Struggle

© 1999 Debbie Turner Chavers

Have you ever noticed that we are given dominion over spirits and earthly things, but we are not to dominate one another? To enslave others by our choices or lifestyle. We are called to serve one another. Matthew 20:25

The Lord has given us dominion to manage our life here on the earth. We have been given dominion by the power of His name. Mark 16:17 and Psalm 8:1-9, 1 Peter 4:11
Consider the spirit of the gift we have been given (1 John 4:6) versus the spirit of this world. ( Ephesians 2:2).

Luke 10:19-20  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you: but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We are to be submitted to God first in all things. We are not to manipulate one another by our own desires. We have been set free in Christ Jesus. We are no longer bond servants to sin, people, or lifestyle choices. 
Each person is responsible to control themselves and answer to God. We were granted self-control (temperance) by the Holy Spirit, not remote control.

Many years ago I found myself in a situation where I had to prayerfully consider if my actions would be as unto the Lord or if I was being manipulated by the situation and people involved. After prayerful consideration I realized that : submission and manipulation were different issues. If we submit unto God then His word clarifies the power struggle and its source. 

~Debbie

1 Corinthians 6:12  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 

James 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Psalm 8:1-9

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and suckling a hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visited the him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

** If you click on the art parable painting title you will be redirected to its website for more information about the painting.

All writing, poetry, posts, art, and photography, copyright © 2016Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James bible which can be accessed online http://biblegateway.com Click on these links http://artparables.com or http://debbieturnerchavers.com