We make choices every day of our lives. When the alarm goes off, I decide whether I get up or roll over and go back to sleep. When we go out in the afternoon, I chose what I will wear. As we make out our grocery list, we decide what we want to have to eat.
Just this last Sunday evening, my hubby called me to the backdoor. One of the boys next door turned seven years old. Hubby was holding a mini cupcake in each hand. They chose to share with us in a small way.
Our choices sometimes are dictated by factors such as health issues, and finances. These decisions shape our lives. When we have to make choices, as children of God we need His input in the process. What does God say? Does Jesus provide any guidance in the decision making process?
When my son was very small, I met an older lady whose daughter had been a couple of years ahead of me in college. She mentioned that her daughter had trained her little girl to choose what clothes to wear each day. The daughter told this lady it would help the little girl to make decisions as she grew older.
“This day I call heaven and earth as a witness against you that I have set before you, life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
When we choose life, we practice life-enhancing ways. We learn to be open-minded about events and ways to do things. When we exercise habits that keep us safe and healthy, we have made strides in living.
Moses challenges the Israelites to choose to live, to walk with God, and to listen to Him.
God doesn’t dictate to his children that they better follow him. He gives alternatives in the hope that we will choose to follow him. The options God gives them are polar opposites from each other—life and death, blessings and curses.
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . .But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
Joshua called all the tribes of Israel together and spoke to them one last time. He told them they had to take a definite stand for God. He told them they had to choose. He set an example by committing his life and that of his household to serve the one true God.
We have times when we have to forge ahead and take a stand that is different from the crowd, out of the ordinary. We see people do this every day but when the Lord is in it we have to appreciate it.
In our 21Century, overall, people seem to follow the ways of the Old Testament Israelites; they do what is right in their own eyes. These actions cause harm to those around us. We choose carefully when we venture out at night. When we read our newspapers or watch the news broadcasts, we discover events that heighten our awareness of how far our world has fallen.
When we make our plans for our days and even our lives, let’s remember to choose God. We should echo the words of Joshua, “. . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Dear Lord God:
Thank you for giving us the examples of faith and strength in Moses and Joshua. Let us remember these lessons as we walk our walks in this world. Help us to remember that You are our Father. Remind us that You are in control and ant what is best for us. We ask these things out of Your mercy for us. We will give You the praise. In the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN
Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.