Coin Toss
"Heads or tails" as we say when we toss the coin into the air. A person has a 50/50 chance of winning the toss. Some would say those are good odds, others would say it's just plain odd. Some people are gamblers and others like to control their own outcomes.
My friend, Laura, and her husband, Mark, left our home yesterday for Las Vegas, Nevada. They aren't gamblers, but like to see the sights, go to shows and eat at the many unusual restaurants. I gave Laura two rolls of quarters for her recent 50th birthday to spend in Las Vegas. I knew as frugal as she is she wouldn't blow 20 dollars on the slots even for her mid-century birthday. She still struggled with spending the quarters even after I insisted they were "fun money."
Now I have other people in my life that wouldn't have made it to Vegas to spend the rolls of quarters on gambling. They love to gamble and take any money available to spend on the chance of winning the big one. That's the difference between the planners and the gamblers. Planners like to think through their actions and activities and make safe decisions about their futures. Gamblers enjoy taking risks with their finances, decisions, or activities and get a thrill out of seeing what will happen next. Of course, their are those that are in between the two, planning some things and taking risks on other things.
So what do I think that means for Christians, should they be planners or risk-takers? As I talked to my friend, Bobbie, on the phone last night, we talked about starting each day in the Word of God. We agreed that only then do we really know what actions and decisions to make during our day. When a Christian starts their day with their Creator and Counselor then the rest of the day the Holy Spirit will guide and direct. Sometimes as Christians, we'll be called to plan and other times to step out in faith and take a risk that wouldn't normally feel "comfortable" for us. Regardless, if our plans are covered in prayer, they won't be a gamble and they will always pay off, whether now or in eternity.
My friend, Laura, and her husband, Mark, left our home yesterday for Las Vegas, Nevada. They aren't gamblers, but like to see the sights, go to shows and eat at the many unusual restaurants. I gave Laura two rolls of quarters for her recent 50th birthday to spend in Las Vegas. I knew as frugal as she is she wouldn't blow 20 dollars on the slots even for her mid-century birthday. She still struggled with spending the quarters even after I insisted they were "fun money."
Now I have other people in my life that wouldn't have made it to Vegas to spend the rolls of quarters on gambling. They love to gamble and take any money available to spend on the chance of winning the big one. That's the difference between the planners and the gamblers. Planners like to think through their actions and activities and make safe decisions about their futures. Gamblers enjoy taking risks with their finances, decisions, or activities and get a thrill out of seeing what will happen next. Of course, their are those that are in between the two, planning some things and taking risks on other things.
So what do I think that means for Christians, should they be planners or risk-takers? As I talked to my friend, Bobbie, on the phone last night, we talked about starting each day in the Word of God. We agreed that only then do we really know what actions and decisions to make during our day. When a Christian starts their day with their Creator and Counselor then the rest of the day the Holy Spirit will guide and direct. Sometimes as Christians, we'll be called to plan and other times to step out in faith and take a risk that wouldn't normally feel "comfortable" for us. Regardless, if our plans are covered in prayer, they won't be a gamble and they will always pay off, whether now or in eternity.
My friend, Laura on her Harley, not all planner, some risk-taker:)
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
There is a huge difference when I start my day without considering what the Lord has in store for me to do for Him. The peace I crave so desparately dissipates and it doesn't take long for me to realize, where my source is. You are a great writer.
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