Picking and Choosing

Sometimes life presents us with an endless buffet of choices -

a wide array of flavors, colors and textures.

("How do I possibly choose?!")

At other times, we are handed an unfamiliar menu with limited options,

and making a quick exit is not one of them.

("Seriously! How do I possibly choose?")

While too many options overwhelm

and prompt panic about making "the right choice,"

limitations may feel like "settling,"

or surrendering.

But either way... in every situation

we are asked to make a decision,

to claim a choice,

to pick from the selection at hand...

and often within a time constraint.

A waiter or waitress can't wait forever.

A waiter is one who is ready to take our order.

A Waiter allows us to choose freely,

to have freedom of choice -

but to ultimately claim what we want

(or what we think we want at the time).

And yet, there is a quiet, patient Waiter

who asks us to consider a special menu in decision-making.

This Waiter refrains from force or demands

even though this Waiter has wisdom

and knowledge beyond our understanding.

When it comes to decision-making, the Waiter politely asks,

"May I interest you in My Specials?" and

"May I provide the following Considerations?"

This Waiter is the Ultimate Server who gives us time

and Gives us Time

and provides us bread

and Is our Daily Bread

and created us

and Co-Creates with us

that we, We

may manifest the Kingdom of God on Earth:

the fullest Love possible for both Creator and Created.

Perhaps the "Specials" of this life

are actually included - received - with the following "Considerations."

The Waiter/Server gently suggests:

1) May your choice first do no harm (to your body, or to any body). "Therefore, if what I (do) causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never (do that) again, so that I will not cause them to fall." 1 Cor 8:13

2) May you select that which edifies. 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. 1 Cor 6:12

3) May your selection be considerate. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Cor 10:24

4) May you refrain from comparison. Therefore let us stop judging one another. Romans 14:13

5) May you consider the big Kingdom picture. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31

When it comes to decision-making,

we not only receive the Waiter's Considerations

but the Son's Recommendations

and the Spirit's Promptings.

This Triune Trifold is Trustworthy.

We can't go wrong in the midst of this righteousness.

It's surprisingly refreshing,

how the Waiter's Son speaks without hesitation

about how all His decisions are made:

"My food is to do the will of Him Who sent me and to finish His work."

John 4:34

The Son's recognition is matter-of-fact.

And perhaps it goes without saying

that the Right decision

will involve cost or hardship or effort or pain -

or all of the above -

but we can feel good about it

because we can feel God in it, around it, through it, and all over it.

And what could be more Special than that?