The Power of a Choice
The outcome and quality of our lives are determined by the choices we make. You have control over your choices, but once made you lose control over them. A word spoken is your choice, but when spoken you cannot take it back. The tongue can bless or curse, or as James says: “…The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life…” (James 3.6) Such power a choice has! I have seen close friends separated with just the wrong choice, but I have also seen families reunited with just the right choice. Ministries are established, churches planted, divorces avoided, children saved from abortion, all with just the right choice.
A choice is a declaration. When one marries, the ministry asks the bride and groom if they freely chose to marry the other. He would say: “Do you choose this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” And the response is: “I do”. I am sure glad I made the right choice when I married my wife. So many blessings have filled my life because of that decision. Every day there are choices to be made. Moses told the children of Israel to choose life or death, blessing or curse. Joshua made the decision that he and his house would serve the Lord and challenged Israel to do the same. Here are some choices I would like to challenge you to make:
Choose to Love
Nothing justifies hate, bitterness or injustice. Choose to love God and all the He loves.
Choose Joy
Invite God to be God of your circumstances. Choose to see every problem as an opportunity for God to work.
Choose Faithfulness
Choose to keep your promises. Make sure people are not sorry they put their trust in you.
Choose Peace
Keep short accounts and forgive daily. Be a peacemaker.
Choose to be Patient
Instead of complaining about the time you must wait, take advantage of this “down time” and pray and give thanks to God.
Choose Gentleness
Lift your voice only in praise. Nothing is gained by force or violence. Choose to be gentle.
Choose Self-control
Refuse to be dominated by that which is not eternal, whether of the body or soul.
Choose to walk in the Spirit and not to indulge the lusts of the flesh.
Choose right and you will live right. Each morning commit your day to the Lord. Give His will priority over every desire and interest you may have. God chose you and He is not sorry He did. His choice gives you the power to choose to walk with Him and experience an abundant life. He has chosen to love you, even when you don’t deserve His love. He has chosen to be patient during all your wonderings and failures. He chooses to forgive over and over again…and He doesn’t hold grudges or keep records of past sins. God’s choices are powerful and yours are too.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Joshua 24.14-16; Deut. 30.19; 11.26; John 15.16; James 3.5-12; Mat. 6.33