The Game Isn't Over.

Earlier this evening, I was playing the game "Fruit Ninja," which consists of using your finger to cut fruit in half, trying to avoid bombs (which results in the game ending if you hit one), and trying not to miss any fruit. It's a three strikes and you are out kind of game, where the goal is to slice as many pieces of fruit in half as possible. It's addicting, but tonight...I was getting so frustrated because I kept hitting the bombs and in turn, losing the game. I saw the words "Game Over" more times than not. Silly, I know...but, I began thinking about it....and realized that my life is a lot like "Fruit Ninja."

Here's what I mean: How often do I get so caught up in "slicing the fruit," and going through the motions of every day life, that I don't stop long enough to look around....and instead hit the "bombs" and mess up? How often do I get stuck in the situation or circumstance I may find myself in and build a wall simply because sometimes feeling something hurts? How often do I feel so defeated that it's like the enemy is saying "Game Over" and I actually begin to fall for it....and I begin to give up, when in reality, I KNOW I shouldn't?

Maybe I'm the only one. Or...perhaps you understand exactly where I'm coming from.

Maybe you feel like Satan is flashing the "Game Over" sign. Maybe you just want to give up. Maybe you feel so defeated that you just don't know what to do. Perhaps you feel like there is absolutely NO way God can make something good out of the situation in which you find yourself. Maybe you feel like you have no purpose, and no potential....and perhaps you feel like God's finished with you. Perhaps you are struggling with what God's plans are for your life. Maybe you have something or someone in your life that has taken the place of God, and God simply isn't your priority. Maybe you feel so far from God, you just don't think you will ever be able to start new again. Perhaps you are feeling so many emotions because of something that has happened in your life, that you are so overwhelmed, you don't even know where to turn. Or maybe...you are simply hurting....

Whatever it is.....here's what I feel like God wants me to say to you, and to me....because I am in need of this too:

*This game of life for you isn't OVER....it's just begun....and Jesus is ready for you. He's ready for YOU and ALL of your problems, feelings, emotions, baggage, and anything else you are willing to give him. Jesus is ready for you. He's ready to carry your burdens for you. "Cast all your anxiety on him because HE CARES FOR YOU." 1 Peter 5:7

*Don't you dare give up. God hasn't given up on you and He has a race marked out for you. Hebrews 12:1-2 says: "...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."

*We may feel defeated, but with God as our strength, WHO can defeat us? Romans 9:31 says: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

*We could possibly feel like there is nothing good to come of what has happened, and there is no way God can make something good out of our situation or circumstance. However, God's word says otherwise. "And we know that in ALL things (not some things, not her things, not his things, but ALL things....) God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

*God ISN'T finished with you yet! God is ready to USE you for His Glory. You have so much God-given purpose and potential within you and God is so ready to let it out of you. He's NOT finished with you!! Philippians 1:6 says: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..."

*God has a plan for you! God's plans are SO much better than the plans that we have for ourselves....He doesn't give us lesser things. God's plan is in place even when your plan for yourself isn't. "For I KNOW the plans I have for you" declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

*God is closer than you think. If you seek Him, you will find Him. Acts 17:27 says: "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."

*God's love for us will not change. "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10

*Lastly, TURN TO JESUS. Run to Him. Go. Just as you are. He's ready for you. He's waiting. If you have no where else to turn....turn to Jesus. Jesus will not let you down.

God is NOT finished with you yet! The game is NOT over. My hope and my prayer is that this would speak to someone. I feel like I wasn't even the writer of this blog....God was. And I know I needed this reminder from God's word. Let it be a reminder to you that God isn't finished.....and the game sure isn't over.