Can You Choose?

(photo courtesy of freegoldwatch.com)

God wants you to choose. 

I want you to choose.

However, you need to know what you’re choosing between. You not only need to know you have options, but you need to be informed about what those options are.  When one side or opinion seeks to quench the voice of opposing views and opinions and beliefs, an unsafe, unfair situation arises where not only our voice, but out choice disappears.

We read in Joshua 24:14-15 (KJV), “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua made the choice clear before all the people. He didn’t ignore the fact that the people had served other gods. Though he gave them a choice that would give them abundant life, he didn’t insist that his God was their only option.

We put ourselves in the role of God when we determine that which the choices of others will consist. Ironic, when the people who insist on determining our choices often deny there is a God.

God Himself encourages us to choose life – but allows us to choose death. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” - Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV)

When Creationism isn’t allowed to be taught in school, but Darwinism is forced down children’s throats as absolute reality, when in fact, it’s a theory that’s never been proven – choice is destroyed. The only ‘reality’ being taught, is one that’s taught forcefully.

When abstinence isn’t allowed to be taught in school, but deviant sexual acts and extreme forms of birth control are blatantly plastered before the face of every student attending said school, again, choice is destroyed.

You cannot choose between options when options are denied.

Informed choice ensures freedom, the very foundation of our nation.

There are many other choices and freedoms being taken from us or threatened here in America and across the globe.

Logically speaking, we won’t all make the same choices.

Find your voice – and let it be heard.

Don’t deny other’s their voice.

Funhouse 'Fun'

In your mind’s eye, look for a little boy at the fair, cotton candy in hand, uncontrollable giggles. Is his hair sandy colored, jet black, curly, in desperate need of a comb? Is he tall? Well dressed or wearing the t-shirt he slept in last night?

Now that you’ve got a vivid picture in your mind, take him over to the funhouse. Watch as he snatches his hand from the ticket taker and runs headlong into the mirrored halls, squealing with delight.

He’s bobbing and weaving, running into mirror after mirror, filling the halls with his robust laughter. He sees the reflections of other children as they make their way through the maze. His first time in the funhouse proves to be the time of his life, pleasure that’s addicting.

Dad waits patiently outside, watching child after child after child go in and come out – yet his son remains inside. Occasionally the boy laughs so loud; dad knows he’s okay.

Eventually the laughter subsides. Though it’s been fun, he panics looking for the way out that has to be there. Sitting down, the boy concedes, trapped in the mirrors and yells, “I have to live in here forever?”

Unbeknownst to him, dad has come into the funhouse. Reaching out to him, taking his hand and lifting him to his feet, they exit the mirrored halls easily.

Hebrews 11:25 tells us there is pleasure in sin - for a season. We wind up trapped in the sin, convinced there’s no way out. God has already come to where we are, yes, He’s stepping into our world of sin, to take us by the hand, lift us up and lead us safely out.

*Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men (angels of God) grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.

*Genesis 21:18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

*Exodus 13:14 …‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out…of the land of slavery.’

*Mark 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

Look Before You Leap

Although it’s an awesome responsibility (and I have no idea what God was thinking when He gave us choice) but our privilege to choose makes it our decision to rejoice, or not to rejoice. To celebrate, or not to celebrate. To pout, to indulge in self-pity, to walk in anger, or to walk in the hurt someone else has caused, to walk in love, or disappointment, or frustration, to walk in resentment, or peace, or to walk with purpose. To respond to God, or not to - these are all our choices to make. We can’t not make a decision. We decide if we get up and do something, or if we rest. We decide if we go to work today or if we play hooky. We decide to take a class, read a book, go for a walk, to eat, to call a friend, play a game, write a letter, sleep, or go exploring. We decide whether or not we want to invite God to share in our day -or our life. But whether we choose to have Him present with us or not - He is there. He gave us a lot of power when He allowed us to choose............

Ezer Rejoicing Still

In the busyness of life we sometimes lose the sense of awe and wonder that constantly surround us. Here in the wonderful land of the Rockies – it’s actually possible to drive around and miss out on seeing the beauty of the mountains, simply because I’m focused on something internal.

If I can drive down the streets of Colorado Springs and not see the mountains – what am I missing in my own home?

Is it possible I focus on self and on the things in my own little world so much or so intently that I close my eyes to the grandeur of the love of God lighting my way through the people God’s placed in my life?

The love for me in my husband’s eyes is incredibly profound. So how is it I don’t see it in moments when I’m angry with him over something petty. I must be so focused on myself that I’m momentarily blinded to the love around me.

I rejoice in choice. I don’t always understand why I choose what I do – but I take great joy in choosing, because God trusts me enough to allow me to choose.

Today and everyday forward, I choose to find love in everyone – from the precious gift of my husband, to the lady standing on the corner by Wal-Mart clenching a sign that begs for money; from the treasure of my children and grandchildren, to the man that cuts me off in traffic only to slow down in front of me.

Today and everyday forward, I choose to rejoice in the love that God surrounds me with through the people He’s placed in my life – the good and the not-so-good, and the beauty He’s filled my world with – the mountains and the ant hills, the sunshine and the cloudy skies, wild flowers and weeds, gentle breezes and wind that blows me off my feet, waterfalls and mud puddles…..it’s all in perspective.

I choose to look for God’s perspective.

Ezer Part 10

Since God trusts us with the privilege of choice, I don’t believe we can rightly force others to believe the way we do – but believing as I do, I want desperately for others to live in freedom and look forward to the promise of heaven. I passionately want those I love to be spared eternity in the torments of hell. I can argue with God all I want that the people around me lack the capacity to make the wise choice. He doesn’t believe me at all. [smile]

While recently at the hospitals for tests, when Dave’s father argued to leave before the doctor cleared him to leave, some of us wanted to override his choice. He’d have been left with a very expensive bill that Medicare would not have paid and the tests they were running on him would have been rendered incomplete and therefore worthless. Fortunately, he wound up staying until the doctors had a diagnosis and were willing to send him home with antibiotics and oxygen for an infection and pneumonia. But he fussed and complained the whole time that he wanted the contraptions he was hooked up to unhooked and to put his clothes back on so he could go home. That would have been very unwise, but it was his choice to make. I presume he stayed because we argued back with him and gave him reason after reason to stay. But if they’d have wanted to admit him overnight we’d have either had to honor his choice or override his right to choose. Knowing we wouldn’t want anyone to override our right to choose, we’re glad it didn’t come to that.

Choose wisely.

Come back in a few days for more!