The Choices We Make

Sometimes we pay very little attention to the choices we make on a daily basis. Some of them seem so insignificant and routine that we fail to understand how they can impact our lives in the long run. Many times we give ourselves away to everything around us without using discretion or wisdom in determining what is beneficial and what is not. We fill our plates, and before we clear them, we reach for more servings until we have more than we can possibly use or digest. In the end, many things get wasted because we have taken on more than we can chew, so to speak. 

I’m not saying we always have the time to plan and analyze every single choice we make or we’d never get anything done. Sometimes snap decisions have to be made in our lives because of unexpected events and we have very little time to react. However, whenever possible, we must be conscious of our choices, making certain we don’t just make blind choices we will regret down the road. Even the smallest choices we make day to day can have a big impact on our lives. For example, choosing not to say I am sorry could cause a tiny crack in a relationship to grow into a huge chasm. The damage might be devastating and long lasting. 

The best tool we have working in our lives is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells inside of us and acts an umpire, warning us when we are running out of bounds or when we make bad choices. Our lives should be examples to others, not chaotic and burdensome. 

I Thessalonians 4:7-8 reminds us, “God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life, but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside. If you disregard this advice, you’re not offending your neighbors; you’re rejecting God, who is making you a gift of his Holy Spirit.” (The Message) 

If you are not a Christian, the best choice you could ever make is to ask Christ to rule over your life. You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you present yourself to God, because this will never happen. God knew we could not live a perfect life, and for that reason He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross. He loves us unconditionally. He will take you right where you are. All it takes is for you to pray this prayer, “Lord, I place my life in your hands and I’m sorry for my past sins. I ask you to rule over my heart. From this moment on I am a Christian and Christ now dwells in me. Amen.” It is that simple. 

I will never forget the words of my pastor, Steve Kelly. He said, “Everyone has the freedom of choice, but no one has the freedom from consequences.” This is so true and a good principle to remember when we’re choosing what we will and will not allow on our plates. 

Weigh your choices wisely. Take inventory of what’s on your plate before it becomes filled to capacity. Learn what to throw away and what to keep. Renew your mind every day and remember why you were saved. 

“Acts 26:17-18, “I’m sending you off  to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off  to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.” (The Message) 

So what’s on your plate? I hope the stories on my blog have brought some laughter to your day, but most of all, I hope they have helped to inspire you to think about the choices you make along the way so you can have the abundant life God intends for you.