May 11 2009
What’s the Big Deal?
We hear a lot these days about choices and how important it is to have them. But no one seems to be telling the rest of the story–that our choices have the power to make or break us.
Wisdom regarding choices should be paramount to those who take seriously their Christian faith and witness. Take for instance the choices we make in friends. It only takes a moment of watching Cold Case Files or Unsolved Mysteries to realize that the people we spend time with can make the difference between life and death.
I once had a Christian friend who lived in a lovely home, but who spent hours upon hours describing to me her dream house and her dream life. In my case, the relationship caused me to be less than satisfied with the incredible blessings the Lord had already given me. That friend had to go, because her eyes were not on Jesus, but on things.
Let’s look at some choices that affect us in ways we often do not anticipate. The food we put in our mouths, whether healthy or not, will make us or break us in the end. And whether we believe it or not, every bite does count. Desperation for money can cause us to do things we would never ordinarily consider doing. Choices do matter. One quick decision in the heat of emotion can spell the end of what was once a valuable marriage relationship. Remember, every downhill slide into sin and evil begins with a split second decision, a temptation we do not run from. As Scripture says, it’s the little foxes that spoil the vines.
Take King David, for instance. Because he stayed home from battle when he should’ve been leading his troops, he ended up gazing on Bathsheba, and falling into terrible sin, including lust, fornication, lies, conspiracy and murder. And this in a man described as “a man after God’s own heart.”
Gossip, anger, jealousy, greed, pride, lust–no matter what the temptation, we need to instantly say no in our spirits, and rush to cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus, lest we fall away. We need to guard our hearts, getting into the Word, submitting our wills to God, and asking Him to protect us, directing our very steps and choices. And because the devil is persistent in seeking to destroy us, we must be ever vigilent and persistent in living for God with a passion that cannot be swayed or sidetracked.
As believers we have been given everything we need to live out our God-ordained destinies, but it’s up to us to choose to stay on track, and not veer to the left or the right.
Let’s make today count for eternity by keeping our eyes on the goal, for Jesus is coming soon!
Because of His great love,
Nancy
