May 25th

May 25th     

Choices. We said that not choosing is a choice. Not changing is a choice. So where are we with this matter in our lives? The thing is, that no matter how long we have been walking with the Lord, we have to embrace making a choice every single day. We don’t take a vacation from choices, that is life and if we are not choosing Jesus, we are choosing against Him. Jesus said that with His own mouth:

Matthew 12:30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

It is just too easy for we humans to wander or drift off the right path, so we have to make our choices often and continually. If we read the Bible with that in mind, we will see that we are advised this over and over again.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Sometimes we need to read the Bible from a different angle. Sometimes we take what God says, as a judgement from Him, when we really need to take it as a warning of fact. For instance, consider the verse about taking up our cross daily. It is a warning that if we don’t follow that recipe we will be unable to follow Him.

Because He created us, He knows what makes us tick and what makes us drift off course and what will ruin us, etc. So, He tells us exactly what we need to do to be successful in following Him. Too often we take it as an ultimatum, “Do this or I am not going to let you be on my team,” when He is actually saying, “I want you on my team and this is how you will be successful in following me.” We still have to choose and the end result is still the same based on our choice but our attitude and interpretation of our Savior’s approach is different depending on how we look at it.

Maybe try reading your Bible with the mindset that Jesus is your biggest cheerleader and is for you. Remember that He will do whatever it takes to keep you safe in His hands except He will not violate free will.

So let’s keep all of that in mind and make our choice daily with His advice in mind. What choices do you have to make today? If there is any question about what to do, ask the One who made you, He is happy to help. He loves you and He watches you. He isn’t watching you to zap you the minute you make a wrong choice or mistake; He is lovingly praying for you to make the right choices.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Jesus thank you for being FOR me. Help me to wrap my head around that and remember that you are praying for me continuously. Thank you for your perfect love. Help me to realize that I am constantly making choices, even some out of habit, and help me to be aware of the choices that I make without even thinking. Thank you for wanting to keep me safe in you, help me not to choose anything but you Jesus.