The JOY Challenge: Day 39 - Simply the Best

I'm deliberately finding joy for forty days. To start from day one click here.

 

My dear mentor in college, Beth, used to lean forward and say with a smile, "The most difficult choices in life are not between good and bad but between good and best."

Her words stuck with me.

Then this morning I read this...

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:17

Our buddy Paul is saying, "Baptizing is good--but it's not God's best for me."

You may be wondering, "Holley, what in the world do your mentor, Paul, and cupcakes have to do with each other?" Just stick with me a little longer and stop looking at the cupcake picture...

Paul was clearing up some confusion because people were saying, "I follow Paul" rather than "I follow Christ" (and somehow the few baptisms he did tied into all that).

So it seems stepping outside what God had for Paul caused a little chaos and a mess he got to help clean up.

Sigh. Been there and done that.

You see, I like to say "yes"...to people, opportunities, new adventures. Anyone else?

And I'm not saying "yes" out of guilt or obligation. I'm saying "yes" because I love a new challenge in much the same way I love a good cupcake.

The only thing is, I sometimes sign up for the baptizing committee when I should be spending time doing something else like, oh, writing.

The other reason is...this one is hard to say...I'm flattered that someone wants me.

There's still a little Junior High girl somewhere inside me that just wants to be asked to dance.

And then once I've been asked to dance, I certainly don't want anyone mad at me for saying no.

It's complicated.

But the past few months God has really been working on my heart--helping me cut out the "baptizing" and get back to what I've truly been sent to do.

I believe that's writing, counseling, connecting from the heart.

And how do I know when I'm in my calling?

I feel JOY.

Yes, there are difficulties. But there is also a satisfation in the struggle because I know it's worth it.

In contrast, when I'm out of that zone I feel weary, discouraged, without joy.

So today I'm asking God again to help me choose the best over the good...perhaps the hardest, but most rewarding, choice of all.

(As for the cupcakes, my friend Ginny Mooney wisely said to me in Rick's bakery one day, "Life is short, eat doughnuts." Notice "doughnuts" is plural. No choice needed. This timeless insight applies to all baked goods.)  

 

What's God's best in your life? In other words, what brings you joy and makes you say, "I was created to do this"? I'd love to know that about you...

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Comments

[Linda]

Holley, this helps and encourages me so much. I'm still that little junior high girl trapped inside a "Grandma body"! I can so identify with all you've said.
I very cautiously say writing for me too, but I'm not a proven writer like you. It is only a dream. I just love creative things - knitting, quilting, etc. I still feel as though I'm floundering around trying to find my gift. I often ask the Lord with a wry smile, "Is it possible I'm the only one You decided not to give one to?"

[Larie]

Writing, event coordinating and cooking!

My husband and kids kinda bring me joy also...LOL!

smooches,
Larie

[Nancy]

My one of my joys is rocking my 2yr at Mothers Day Out to sleep.

[Monica @ The Writer Chic]

Holley -- this is awesome. Our pastor just preached on this Sunday. I'm going to share your post with him. Thank you for always blessing me.

[dawn]

I have a friend who says, just because it is a good thing, doesn't mean it's a God-thing (for me). Very wise.

I'm not sure if I completely know when I'm at my best, but leading and influencing is a big part of it. I wouldn't have picked being a leader...especially as a women in the church, but it's me. I also love communicating and helping people learn and grow...so those fit in there too.

I hang onto Eph. 2:10. :)

[Yolanda]

Holley - What a great post...you got me thinking, and I believe my best is when I am teaching my students. I feel joy in that. Have a great day!!

[~Grace & Peace]

Holley,
While I love all your posts, this one resonated best with me (and not just because of the cupcakes). If you can see through the screen, there would be a cartoon lightbulb next to my head.

I also have a tendency to be a "yes" woman. So I also know the fallout from being that. Being a people pleaser was go ingrained in me. It was only within the last year when my women's group studied The Search for Significance by Robert McGee did I realize why I was like that. Notice the past tense. From time to time it still comes out but I learned that "I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, totally accepted, complete in Christ."

I feel the greatest joy in several places: 1) When I am standing in front of my church handing out the bulletins for Sunday night; 2) When I write - especially when things just flow; 3) In my scrapbook room where I create cards, scrapbook pages (though it's been so long since I have done this because the room is a mess. See my reply in your messy closet post. :) 4) Last but not the least, when I am reading His Word and I get illumination of a passage - a hidden truth, or something just for me, just for the day.

[Tiffany]

Oh my gosh. Excuse me but have you been listening in on my conversations with God?

No?

Hmmmm....well...for the longest time (since I was 5 years old) I believe that God gave me the talent of singing so that I would use it. For Him. But in the last several years I have hardly sung at all.

Writing is another one. But that's it. Nothing else creates a surge of passion. Nothing else makes me utter those words "I was born to do this." Perhaps I should be paying closer attention to that.

Great post! Oh and I LOVE cupcakes. LOVE them.

[Pamela]

This is wonderful article! I love digging into those golden nuggets in the bible and your reference of Paul to the Corinthians is awesome! I have tried to explain this so many times, and your explanation captures exactly what I feel Paul shares in this passage.
Thank you~
Pamela

[Jennifer]

Is possible that "the thing you were made for" could change? I was a foster parent for about 3 years and I thought that was it - taking care of kids that didn't have a home. But circumstances changed and I don't think I could do the foster-parenting on one income. So, I'm still searching ...

[Rachel]

Actually, eating cupcakes brings me an incredible amount of joy. Too bad that's not God's best for me. It's pretty darn good, though. =D

I think that God is trying to tell me something here. Earlier this week, I read a tweet asking what you would do if you had unlimited time. About 10 things popped into my head, but one stuck out - making baby blankets to give to children in foster care. It's the thing I've wanted to do above all other things over the past few years. I responded to the tweet and ended up sending the author of it an email telling her about why I want to do that.

Now, here you are asking a different question, but with the same answer. It seems that God is telling me that now is the time to get started working on my vision.

Thanks for a timely post.

[Sarah]

Dear Holley,

Thank you again! I am in the middle of praying for God's guidance as to what is the best way of serving Him amongst all the good ways! Your words are so appropriate. Thanks for following God's best in your life!

Love from

Sarah

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Holley, once again, a great post and thank you for that! We all need reminding that we need to please the Lord by doing what He has entrusted to us to do and not to worry about other things we are not called to do. While on holiday God seemed to be speaking to me about the purposes in life I have to be fulfilling for Him through serving others, giving of my time & resources in order to meet people's needs... I had some struggles because of this but God's presence reminded me that when I continue to become available and be faithful and committed to the call God has for me that I can trust Him for His continued blessings and resources. God is there!