The Sweetest Spot on Earth

"It is too small a thing." Isaiah 49:6

Anyone who has ever hit a golf ball well, whether by actual skill or dumb luck, understands the meaning of "the sweet spot." It's that moment when everything comes together in exact precision with effortless grace, resulting in a feeling that cannot be described -- only experienced.

Likewise, there are sweet spots in Life as well -- those moments when you are in the zone; being who God created you to be, and doing what He has gifted you to do -- resulting in a feeling that cannot be described; only experienced. Do you know what I mean? Sorta? Not everybody does. Most people live outside the lines, struggling just to make it -- or, at least fake it.

When a man exceeds his reach and grasps for things not meant for himself, he will always experience frustration and anxiety. So also when he retrains his reach and seeks to settle for that which is less than the best God has intended for his life. Neither one of these ever experience the sweet spot. The one wants too much, while the other wants too little. And neither will ever be satisfied.

The prophet Isaiah was stuck in the middle of a dilemma -- knowing that God had called him into service, but experiencing failure and frustration no matter how faithful he tried to be. As far as he could tell he was doing what he was supposed to be doing -- but it wasn't working. In great despair he complained to the Lord, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing." (vs.4).

The reply from heaven re-ordered his entire world. "It is too small a thing," God answered, seeing that Isaiah thought he was meant only to preach to Israel. "I will also make you a light for the Gentiles," God added, "that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

Just at the point Isaiah was tendering his resignation, God gave him a promotion! Maybe that's you right now. Maybe you've settled for less and have felt increasingly frustrated, and are just about ready to quit. Your resignation is premature -- and unaccepted! The Lord is ready to promote you to where He always meant for you to be.

The quest in Life is to be who God created you to be, doing what He has gifted and called you to do, when and where He has assigned you to do it. Each one of us long to be the right person with the right stuff at the right time in the right place.

And that's the sweetest spot on earth.