* I Had No Choice

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days;
Deuteronomy 30:19-20a NKJV

I watched a movie the other day about a young woman looking to fulfill her purpose in life. She had a plan. Then she got a job that turned out to be life-changing for her. 

At first, it was just a job; the means to an end. She didn't even like it all that much. She was just there on her way to being where she wanted to be. Then being there every day, being with the people, seeing it all first-hand, she got caught up in all of it and it literally changed her life.

She was a bright girl and a hard worker and she knew she could improve the position. She poured everything she had of herself into it. She worked her way up, fought hard, performed well, moved into a position of importance and traveled the world over. She became VERY successful and it not only changed her life, but it changed all the lives she touched, as well.

Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? However, it was NOT a change for good. She lost the way - the purpose of her life - on her way up. She bought the lie. Hook, line and sinker... and because of it, she lost the truth of her life. She had no true confidant. There was no one who knew her for herself, let alone loved her for who she was. Yet throughout the unplanned course, she would say,  "I have no choice. I have to work." "I have no choice - she's the boss." "I have no choice - I have to do what she says." All the while, climbing the ladder, feeding the frenzy of her ego and competitiveness and the desire to win. "You don't understand. I didn't choose to do that - it's part of my job. I have to. I have no choice."

There is ALWAYS a choice. God said so. He set it before us. Sometimes, we may have to choose to not go somewhere that everyone else is going, or choose to do without something we want in order to provide for someone in need, or - horror of horrors - make a stand where people will think we're weird or call us a goodie-two-shoes. 

Psalm 40:8 reads, My God, I want to do what you want. Your teachings are in my heart.

Luke 6:22 reads, What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.

Mark 8:36, And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

You DO have a choice. Choose wisely. Choose Truth. Choose life.

Prayer:

Father,
           You are our life and the length of our days. We want to love You with all our hearts and all our minds and all our strength. We want to obey You. Be our strength. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen