God and Me in Twenty-Three (2023): More about choices!
After last week’s post my wife Shirley said “You may have to write more about choices next week. There is a lot more to say on the subject.” I mentioned in the previous post that God has given each person the freedom to make our own choices. So I asked God if I should write more about choices and He told me “I have two choices; I can choose to write more about choices or not to write more about choices. It’s my choice.” Oh my… I hope I’m making the right choice! LOL
In the Bible God tells us about choices that were made both good and bad. Here are a few of them: I mentioned Adam & Eve last week so I will move on to Abram. He obeyed God and chose to leave his home and go where God directed him. God later changed his name to Abraham and made of him “a mighty nation.” A very good choice but not an easy choice for Abraham I’m sure. The Hebrew nation came into existence because of that choice. (Genesis 12)
Moses chose to give up his life as prince of Egypt and ultimately lead his people the Hebrews, out of 400 years of bondage as Egyptian slaves. A very good choice but not an easy choice for Moses to make I’m sure. (The book Exodus)
Rahab chose to hide the spies sent to check out the land of Jericho. In doing that, she managed to save herself and her family. It was a very good choice but a dangerous one for her to make. (found in Joshua 2)
King David saw a woman bathing on her rooftop and committed adultery with her. He then had her husband killed and married the widow… very bad choices. However, God went on to use him in spite of his bad choices. (2 Samuel 11)
Saul set out to persecute everyone who believed in Jesus. After an encounter with Jesus, Saul’s name was changed to Paul, and he chose to be used by the Lord to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. (Acts 9)
These are just a few of the choices made by people who went on to be greatly used by God to fulfill His purposes. Allow me to ask you a question: is God now only choosing people who are well spoken and present a respectable image? People who meet the world’s standards? Of course not, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NIV)
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.
God is prompting me to look beyond the flawed exterior of an individual, and to ask God if He has a reason for choosing that person. Remember from above… (27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… 29so that no one may boast before him.) There might be a reason that seems foolish to me but fits Gods chosen purpose and plan.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
As salt and light, we have a responsibility to take Jesus into the political process as well as being involved in our communities, churches and everyday life. The choices we make should be bathed in prayer and based on the guidance of Holy Spirit! We do this without forgetting the Great Commission to spread the Gospel to the entire world.
Challenge… Because Life is filled with choices, stay close to the Lord, seek His will in all we do and choose wisely in 23!