“When you find yourself floating in a season of helplessness, you must find some concrete way to express your freely embraced deepest commitment.”- John Ortberg
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel.”- Daniel 1:8-9 (NIV)
In Chapter 7 (“No One Else Can Take Your Turn”) of When the Game is Over, John Ortberg underscores that you’re not a pawn, a victim of circumstances beyond your control. For when you think that way, you wait for something to happen outside of yourself to change your situation.
Instead, Pastor Ortberg points out, you’re responsible for your own life. Thus, no one else can take your turn. John explains the benefits of taking your turn:
“You have a turn every time you have an opportunity to choose. . . . One of the best exercises for playing the game wisely is to be conscious of making decision. The more you become aware of how many choices are up to you, the more eagerly you embrace your turn. . . . when you add them up, they create your life. No one else can take your turn.”
However, Pastor Ortberg observes, sometimes we shrink back from resolving in our hearts. We want to know how things will work out. That’s when we need to remember the “Now God” factor.
In conclusion, John declares a very important reason why you must take your turn. That reason – God’s given you a tiny measure of what He has without limit, the ability to choose. And word like initiative, being productive, or taking responsibility rise above psychological concepts. As John asserts, “They are deeply connected to what it means to be made in the image of God.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you emerge from a season of helplessness? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The last of the human freedoms”
