Choices

We all make choices in our lives. Every day we make choices, some of which seem very mundane, and others seem more significant. We make choices because God has given us free will to do so. It’s one of the greatest gifts God has given us. He could have chosen to control us and force us love Him, but then it wouldn’t be a relationship, and what He wants is relationship.

During a break recently, I read a new Sovereign World book entitled ‘The Choice’. It’s an amazing, impactful book. Andy Robinson made choices in his life. He got frustrated with God and his Christian family and chose the devil instead – literally. Life went rapidly downhill from there, and looking back he can see that a force was pushing him to do wrong, and towards anger, violence, evil, and addiction. When he tried to get himself out of the mess, he couldn’t. He just got deeper in.

Eventually, Jesus met Him and revealed the Father to Him. He realised that the God He had ‘known’ was a false idea of God. The real God was awesome. He gave His life to Jesus and gradually started to rebuild his life - this time with hope. His life is a wonderful testimony, but he honestly admits there are still consequences carried from that time of walking away from God.

So, what about us? We’re making choices every day. We choose to reach out with love, or to take offence; we choose to follow God’s way in any given situation, or our own. We choose to put ourselves first, or put God first; we choose to eat that extra chocolate bar, or exercise. We choose to confront, or to be passive. We can choose to read our Bible. We can choose to get up when the alarm goes. All of these choices have consequences – for us and for others. Our actions and choices matter.

We actually carry a lot of responsibility for ourselves and for the others around us. The Lord has given us ourselves to steward and look after, but He’s also put us in a family, in a community and in the Body of Christ, so we need to steward our relationships with each other.

Choices … If we make wrong choices there are consequences (we reap what we sow), but there’s always a way back with God. He can restore ‘the locust years’.

We’re challenged about choices in Scripture:

‘This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live’ (Deuteronomy 30:19).

‘But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD’ (Joshua 24:15).

Spend a few moments reflecting on the choices you’ve made recently. Were they godly choices? Just talk to God about them. Repent of anything you need to repent of, ask for wisdom if you’re facing a difficult choice. Remember: God also makes choices and He’s chosen each one of us. ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name’ (John 15:16).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You gave me a free will and that You desire relationship with me. I want to surrender my will to You today and say I’m sorry for the times when I’ve made wrong choices. Please help me to make right choices for You today and to bring honour and glory to Your name through how I live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.