Momentum

I like playing nine-ball.  It's a more interesting game on the table, in my opinion, and I played it with my late husband before his illness.  I have my own custom cue stick - a birthday gift years ago, and fond memories.  Pool is about angles and momentum (simplifying); and especially with nine-ball, it's about considering where to use those concepts to strategically place the cue ball with each shot to line up the next shot in a way that will be beneficial.

Once the cue ball is struck, the energy from the cue stick puts it into motion toward an object ball.  There is no turning back from the direction of the shot once things get rolling.  A chain of events begins in a moment.

I was thinking of the words "momentum," "momentary," and "momentous" this morning.  I found the definitions both confirmed and surprised me when I found them - our language is fascinating that way. 

Momentum is force or speed of movement; impetus, as of a physical object (like our cue ball and those it impacts) or course of events.  The math/science geek in me also thinks of the product of mass times velocity; but our purpose here actually doesn't require any scrap paper - don't worry. 

Momentary has a variety of definitions:

1. lasting but a moment, fleeting
2. might occur at any moment; ever impending
3. effective or recurring at any moment; constant

Momentous denotes something that has a pivotal influence, of great importance.

A wordsmith my whole life, always enamored with the lexicon and its roots, I was actually humbled to discover the second and third definitions for "momentary."  It carried a thought of transience in my mind; but it can mean a status that's constant or imminent too.  The choices we make in any moment often generate momentum - and it can be momentous in our lives.  In one shot of a nine-ball game, the very first can be the final stroke, and I've experienced it, as the nine ball somehow lands in a pocket, winning me that game.  On the other hand, the cue ball can go reeling into a pocket as well, turning the advantage to one's opponent.  I've been "there" too.

Every choice has potential momentum.  Not choosing is also a choice, by the way.
Decisions, whether active and intentional or passive and unwitting, take these forms:

• Capitalizing:  seizure of advantage, electing to exploit the opportunity
• Capitulating:  surrender, abdication of one's ability, authority, or autonomy

Joshua 14:15 is a call for decision, "...choose you this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  It is the most momentous decision posed to humankind, and it is a momentary (as in constant, consistent, and - as life is brief, fleeting) opportunity for us all.  Either choice - capitalizing on the precious gift of Christ, the very reason for Easter - or capitulating to selfishness, rebellion, and ultimate spiritual death - has eternal momentum.

Take advantage of this moment.

Commit to the shot and move forward in relationship with Jesus.

"For whoever calls on the name of the LORD [in prayer] will be saved."  Romans 10:13

For more information, see the larger context in Romans 10:8-13  and, as verse 11 restates the promises of Isaiah 28:16 and Jeremiah 17:7, you won't be disappointed when you choose to follow the LORD.  

Jotting with Johnna

• What decision do you need to make in this moment, during this Easter weekend?
• Has the momentum of the culture caused you to roll away from your object?
• Why not trust the Master with the momentary and the momentous remains of your life?

Remember:  you are responsible for your response, and the shot is lined up for you.  If you think this message would help encourage someone, please share the link with them.  For more positive posts every week, subscribe or follow.  I won't capitulate your information, nor will I ever try and capitalize by sending you spam.  I promise.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.