Life is filled with choices.
Invariably, every living thing that has an ability to function (feel free to poke holes) has to make a choice.
As servants of God, we are no different. The choices we make on a daily basis tends to however be more life and dare I say eternally consequential than we let on.
We choose what we do when we awake in the morning. Do we seek God first and submit our days to Him OR do we place our seeking of Him somewhere in the unfolding of our days only when appropriate for us.
When we are faced with an obstacle, do we first figure it all out on our own, or do we go to the One who knows our ending even before we have chosen a beginning.
The Bible gives us a plethora of examples of folks who made choices. Some began their servitude to God with great choices – walking in obedience, following the prescribed precepts only to eventually turn aside and do their own thing. Some returned to the Way, others ended up following their own way. Whatever the decision was, there were choices made all around. Even Jesus, the King of us all made a choice. Shoot! Come to think of it, even God, our Sovereign Father made the choice to send Jesus for us (John 3:16).
All this being said, I was reading my devotional yesterday and the title was “Enemy Combatants” (The Quiet Place by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, July 6) and all that stood out to me was “Choices”. The text she hinged her thought came from Deuteronomy 28:47-48 where the Lord had been outlining to the Israelites the consequences of their choices.
“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.” (ESV)
The first word of the verses “Because” signifies what was commanded and what the results of either following or not following the prescribed action would have been. When I continued reading the passage, the list of the punishment continued. In verse 49 one result was to come up against an enemy who did not speak the language. It’s bad enough having a disagreement with someone who speaks my language, but to fight with someone who does not speak my language and hence no possibly of reaching a resolution??? Golly! That’s treacherous.
All that said, I want us to really think hard (Christians and non-Christians) about the following questions.
- Who do we want to be our King?
- Who’s life do we have?
- Who’s kingdom do we want to reside in?
- If ours, can we handle the responsibilities that come with it?
- Can we communicate effectively with the enemies (and let’s not fool ourselves, we all have enemies)?
- Are we equipped to keep the enemies at bay?
I know it may seem as though the simple choices we make are not life altering. I know it also appears as though we don’t have the time to be consciously thinking about what we do or not – all the time. But. Yes, But, for every action – there is a reaction.
We are called and expected to choose for ourselves – who we will serve – God or Mammon!
Imago Dei 