His Court

The whistle blows, and the game begins. The tallest members from each team jump as high as they can, hoping to beat the opponent to the ball so they can pass it to their team. Once the ball is in play, the offense runs down the court, getting ahead of the defense. The point guard dribbles the ball down the court while the other players take their positions, waiting on her to call the play.

When I was younger, I was on the school basketball team. Back in those days, I was NEVER the point guard. I wasn't a good enough ball handler, and even if I had been, I wouldn't have wanted the responsibility. You see, the point guard is in control of the play. They tell the rest of the team where to move. They choose who gets the pass. There was no way I was going to be able to do all that. For goodness' sake, I didn't even want to shoot half the time; I just wanted to get the ball out of my hands once it was there.

But I've recently discovered that I'm trying to be the point guard. And a ball hog to top it off.

Here's the thing. In life (sports not included), I like to be in control. Sometimes, I even feel like I'm doing a great job. I'm really getting somewhere. And then I realize I'm just running in circles. There are no points on the score board. I might not be losing yet, but I'm certainly not winning either.

I'm learning that God is a much better point guard than I am in my life.

Whether it's my job, my hobbies, my finances, my time, the fulfillment of my dreams, or relationships with those around me, God has a much better plan in mind than I do. He knows the other players better than I do, on both teams. He knows what I need to do to work best with my teammates. He knows what weaknesses the opposition will try to bring out and can help me prepare for them or avoid them all together.

When I run the show, I run wherever there's an opening. When He runs the show, He tells me where to be. When I run the show, I hope I get the chance to shoot. When He runs the show, He creates opportunities for me to put the ball in the basket.

God isn't a ball hog either. He might be the star that demands -- and deserves -- all the glory for the win. But He lets others join in the fun of the game.

So I'm learning, once again, to let God run things. After all, it is His court I'm playing on.

What areas of your life do you need to let God call the shots in?

"Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere." - Psalms 84:10a

All His

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." - Mark 12:30

Hello, my name is Nicole. I'm a Christian. I'm a daughter, sister, and friend. I am a Tiger, graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia (and sadly cannot brag about my football team this year). While I was there, I was part of the campus ministry, Mizzou Chi Alpha. I'm currently a social worker. And I am looking forward to one day being a missionary in Denmark.

If you just read that paragraph, you now know the things I consider to be integral parts of who I am. If you reread the sentence after my name you will know what I believe is THE most important aspect of my identity. Not because of who it says I am.

But because of WHOSE it says I am.

I am God's. He created me. He died for me. He loves me. I am His. All His.

If you've read my blog at all before, you probably know that's the title of it. You might have even read the subheading underneath that title. But I've realized recently that when I started this blog, I never really introduced myself or explained my purpose for writing here. So I've decided to do that now. And since I'm planning to make writing a more regular occurrence, now's as good a time as any.

Allowing myself to be all His is a process. There's something I have to give to Him every single day. And sometimes, that can be the same thing every day for a week or a month or a year. Sometimes, it only takes a day, but I have to do it again a year later. That's normal because, like you, I'm human. I want to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. That's what it means to be all His. But I'm not quite there yet.

And that's why I write these posts. I want to share my journey of giving more to Him. I want to share my journey so you can see what He's doing in my life and hopefully be encouraged to allow Him to work in yours. I want to help you become all His as well.

So, feel free to share your own introduction in the comments. Let's get to know each other and encourage one another in this journey.