I knew by the envelope that I was up for the dubious task of jury duty...so I put it on my calendar, stored it away and yesterday my reminder popped up that this was the day. Reminders are good things....I had to first make a choice...as to transportation...decided to make this an adventure...and took the bus. Potential jurors ride free according to the instructions. And sure enough they do...it dropped me off just a few short downtown blocks from the jury assembly room...and I didn't have to mess with parking etc...and even got to walk don a few blocks on Main street...my how that has changed. It was a great experience and will, without a doubt, be the way to go next time as well. But the thing about jury duty...is all you are in charge of is showing up...the rest is in the hands of the system. You listen to the district court clerk give his spiel, watch a video about how important it is that we as citizens vote and take on the responsibility of being a volunteer juror, and wait you turn to be called to a panel. The first group was called...and I thought I had wanted to be in that group...but it ended up that those of us who were left...just sat around for an hour or so and then were dismissed. All I had to do was show up...that was my responsibility...I was there if needed but clearly not the one in control.
So many times we are wishy washy as to whether to go one place or another...and yesterday it reminded me that we are called to just show up sometimes. We don't know what God has planned, or what he will have us to say or do....but if we show up for God's instructions he will guide us. Sometimes we sit on our bench waiting...and sometimes we are called to action. But all God wants us to do, I am convinced, is show up for active duty in His kingdom....and wait for his instruction. He is the one controlling the activities about us and he knows how and when he wants us to step in and be active participants.
I sat in that jury room with my book...(a topic coming up soon...about golf.and I don't even play)....and though we were all spread out in this great gathering room...and we were from all walks of life....we were all there for one purpose...to be a potential juror, and sit on a panel and listen as the case of a citizen is presented who has requested a trial judged by his or her peers. They have the right to have a trial and it is our right as jurors if it has been requested to listen and make joint final call of guilty or not . We all have that right.
Showing up in God's court room...is not about being guilty or not...we are all guilty...and the ultimate judge has set us free....but what is expected of that freedom? Nothing....but hopefully, through God, we are able to see the benefits and blessings that come with that freedom....and are willing to step in and show up to pass those blessings on to others. Each day we are given a opportunity to just Show up....for God's service? To be there for others who are on need of an advocate...or in need of understanding, or help, or encouragement, comfort, or strength.
If we show up...each day...ready to be a part of God's working kingdom, he will use us for His glory. He will place us according to our gifts and others needs.
We are just called to show up...and God will do the rest. He will call us out according to needs he perceives...and will use us according to what he has intended for His purposes. I began my day yesterday asking God to lead me through it. I look back and think I am not sure I had any effect on other person yesterday except maybe the bus driver....I am not sure many folks take time to speak to him... because when I did he smiled so big....and I truly was glad for the ride....and I think he was glad for the blessing I asked God to give him as I left. But the thing is I showed up....and literally walked with him all day. We don't always know when God uses us or what impact it may have on someone else...and that is not our worry. We might just be warming his bench...but what I do know is that God wants to have us in his gathering room. All of us. For we are each made up of different gifts, come from different walks of life, and called to show up for one united purpose....to love others. And loving others is activated through different veins....because there are so many different needs. God knows just how to team them up...and if we show up and are available ...then we will be called according to his purposes...and his timing.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.
Yesterday I showed up...because I was called to do so...and it was my responsibility....as a citizen. I too am a citizen of the kingdom of God...I don't get a letter in the mail asking me to show up for service....I was given a personal, once and for all invitation to join Him in his service, the moment I came to him and told him that I believed in what he had done for me through his son, Jesus. That invitation is for each of us...who believe. We just have to accept it....and RSVP to it.....and the way to RSVP is to truly believe in your heart that God is who he is..and that he has send his son to redeem (I love that word) us... Then it will gradually become a natural part of our response to say yes to his call of being a living and active part of his kingdom.. trust in his leadership, "Show Up" for His service, and be willing to do what he has asked of us.
We just have to show up! God will take care of the rest....Remember he is already there....waiting for us to come to him.
Dear Lord, Showing up is such an easy choice to make...nudge us and give us the incentive to look for ways to serve you, and trust you and share what we know of you with others. We are blessed each day to have the opportunity to serve you but so often we choose to serve ourselves instead...Help me Lord to change that. Amen
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Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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