Choice
is a fundamental in our society. We like having options and more than one
possibility. It can be overwhelming. I know this happens in our family. We
decide to go out to eat and then we have to decide where to go. Silence…not a
sound…until “I don’t care,” or “wherever you want to go.” Have you been part of
that conversation? Sure the names and faces have been changed to protect the
guilty but you have been there. I learned a long time ago to then ask, “Where
do you not want to go.” That question will get an answer like, Mexican, or No
McDonalds or no Chinese you get the picture. We will quickly express what we
would not choose but remain silent about where we would like to go. I guess in
fear of our choice being rejected. I promise you it will work every time expediting
the decision making process to an agreed upon choice where no one is opposed.
Of course, no one wants to go there either but no one is opposed. That was a
choice.
A
new year often includes choices for resolutions. We are now 8 days into 2016 and
I wonder how many of your resolutions are already “toast?” I do hope not all.
It’s good to set goals. It is however a choice to abandon them. With that in
mind, many choose to make no resolutions as they believe they won’t keep them
anyway. The rock and roll band Rush (google them) had a lyric in a song titled Freewill released in 1980: You can choose a ready guide, In some celestial voice, If
you choose not to decide, You still have made a choice
It’s true when you choose not to
decide you have made a choice. Most now-a-days choose not to decide and then
complain about the decision made even though they chose not to be a part.
Everybody has an opinion regardless of how well formed or informed. Neither
stops them from speaking their piece of mind thereby removing all doubt for the
rest of us as to the quality of that mind. Silence is golden they say. Better
to be thought a foul than to open your mouth (or keyboard) and remove all
doubt. It’s their choice.
The way of faith is a choice. The
lyric for Freewill goes on to say: You
can choose from phantom fears, And kindness that can kill, I will choose a path
that's clear, I will choose free will.
Free will is the most dangerous
gift of love God has given us. It allows us to choose to love Him or not, to
follow His commands or not, to be identified with Him or not regardless of His
investment and sacrifice for us and in us. That was HIS choice. Crazy as it seems.
Free will also carries with it responsibility. Ugh, that word responsible, yes
if you choose you are responsible. How we run from that. I want to be able to
choose but I don’t want to be responsible for the choice I made or face the
consequences of that choice when I realize I don’t like them or want them.
Along with freewill came grace. Grace makes good our poor choices. It alone
levels the playing field before us regardless of our past. Grace was God’s choice.
It is also yours. For 2016 let me encourage you to exercise your freewill and choose
to follow Jesus. That may mean a commitment to him as Savior and Lord. That may
mean a commitment to Bible reading and study regularly or prayer or service to
others in Jesus name. I don’t know it’s your choice but here me, make a choice.
You will never be the same.
In
HIS Service and Yours,
Bro G
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