As we finished our bowls of cereal this morning, my six year old foster daughter smiled widely and proclaimed “That was delicious! And now I need a straw to finish off my milk in the bowl.” After sip-slurping all the milk, leaving a dazzling “clean” dish, she removed the straw and sat the bowl in the sink. Turning toward the waste basket she said “and now I throw the straw in the garbage.” She tossed it in, made a face at it and through gritted teeth said “because now it’s useless.”
I sat a moment pondering over that statement. Something wasn’t right. My heart hurt for that little straw. Then, it came to me.
For weeks that little straw sat in a jar that was filled with hundreds of straws. Finally it was down to a dozen or so that were left. By this time, that straw surely must have wondered if it was of any value. I mean, all the other straws were being picked for their Master’s use. But that little straw had no idea that today was a very special day. You see, other straws may have gotten to dip in the Master’s cup. Some perhaps into cups belonging to friends of the Master. But this straw was different. His day was today, and his assignment was unlike that of any other straw’s. On this, His day to shine, he was hand-picked by the daughter of the Master. That sweet little ray of sunshine who sat with the Master, ate with the Master and followed where the Master traveled.
Today, you little straw, had the opportunity to look into the eyes of the Master’s future, and fulfill that little slice of time carved especially for you, and you fulfilled it with excellence. You are not useless. You are purpose-filled!
And each of us, just like that little straw, have purpose that has been placed inside of us. Some, at this very moment are about their Master’s use. Others, still awaiting their moment of purpose may feel locked in a jar. Oh, but that isn’t true. Yes, you are in the holding stage right now, but that means it’s time to seek the Master’s heart and ask what is it HE has designed for your life. There isn’t one straw, or one person who was created to be useless. The Master overlooks no one. And you, even if you are the last “straw” pulled from the jar, must be ready to Shine and Fulfill that slice of time specifically and uniquely carved For You.
The next time the enemy screams “I’ve had it with you. That’s the last straw!” SMILE, lift your eyes toward Heaven and laugh. Knowing that the last straw only means one thing in The Master’s Kingdom . . . It’s your Time to shine!