One of my favorite memories on the cruise I went on with some of my good college friends was the incredible food we got to eat together. We were permitted to eat as much as we wanted, wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted. The sit down dinners were amazing. The food was so unique and extravagent. I don't even know the best words to describe how delictable every meal tasted. And the midnight dessert bar complete with chocolate fountain - don't even get me started. As much as I love having options, I also find that too many choices isn't always such a good thing for me. I like the freedom to choose but then I get overwhelmed with all of the decisions that have to be made. Often times, I go for "all of the above". I just like my options. But that is exactly why I shouldn't have too many of them. I am a first grade teacher and I find that if you have an insubordinate child, one very successful way to handle them is to give them two options - do this or do that. Present them with less options but also narrow those options to choices you can be okay with. Please open your Bible and read Deuteronomy 23 or just click here.
In the book of Deuteronomy we uncover so many laws but it's pretty cut and dry. Purge the evil or die. Stop doing bad things or die. Choose God or die. I feel like God always gives us choices but He doesn't often give us 25 things to pick from. He is very specific - it's all about Him or it's all about us. I have discovered that whenever I have a hard time making a good choice, it's usually because I am focused on what I want to do. It's all about me. But it really isn't. I remember being in college and listening to a very wise pastor speak about relationships. He said that if both people in the relationship always try to focus on finding ways to love and serve the other person first, then we will automatically meet the needs of one another without fighting for them to be met. I admit I don't always do this. I can be very selfish and I am thankful my husband is very patient. But I try. And when I am successful, I am so thankful I was able to love my husband the way he deserves by honoring him above myself. I feel we need to follow this same advice in our relationship with the Lord. I need to do whatever I can to love and serve Him. When I try to please Him and make Him happy, I automatically get my needs met and usually am even more blessed than I was to begin with. Sometimes this requires a little perspective though. Contrary to popular thought, it is not God's job to make us happy. It is not His plan to give us everything that we want all of the time. He is trying to give us what He knows is best for us and which will ultimately draw us closer to Him which will ultimately bring Him glory. It really is all about Him. But He graciously allows us to play a role too. When I stop being selfish and start being selfless, food is not such a big deal. It's actually just needed to give me life. It's not supposed to be my life. Do I eat to live or live to eat? This is a very important question I need to ask myself. On that cruise ship, I think I was living to eat. And I ate well. But if I could start to see how laying down my desires could be loving and serving God, I might start to see that it isn't as hard as I make it out to be. I can love the Lord by choosing to change. I can bring Him glory by letting Him be enough. Again, sometimes this is easier typed and read than acted out, but if I can start viewing my choices as selfish, I might have a better chance at changing. I want to live a selfless life. I want to love others before myself. I want to love God more. I want my life to be poured out like a drink offering, where I not only offer my life to God but also to the people around me. Whatever it is we are being selfish about, can we make a better choice today? Do I choose God or do I choose me?
Father, oh how You know I want to be that selfless person. So often, I choose badly. I need You to help me remember moment by moment, that choosing You and Your ways are always better than choosing Me and my ways. Thank you for never giving up on me. I love you, Lord. Amen
Now Choose Life.
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