The Matter of Choice

 The matter of choice carries so much significance. 

We make choices every single day of our lives. We decide what clothes we will wear, and what will do with the twenty-four hours we are given. We even choose our place of employment and which souls we want to consider as friends.

I could go on naming the countless other decisions we get to make in this life, but the point I wanted to make today is this:

How much of your day is spent glorifying God? Life is certainly busy and the daily matters take up a lot of our time, but it is important to make the choice and set aside time to spend with Him in prayer, to live for Christ, to serve Him whenever the opportunity arises.

Why is how you spend your time so important?

1) Many are lost in this dark, forsaken world and on their way to Hell. It is important to witness and share the Gospel as much as you can using any avenue possible. Some may be receptive, while others become angry or defensive. That's okay. In those cases, you've planted the seed and all you can do is pray for their souls. Keep trying if you're given the opportunity to speak with them again.

I've had conversations with people who have told me: "I know I need to get saved, or "I'll get saved someday". The problem with that mindset is that we have no way of knowing when our time to get right with the Lord will be up. Someday may never come because the devil is a notorious liar and loves to tell people that they have plenty of time. The end of life can happen at any given moment without warning. Don't wait. There will come a day when you will have no more chances to make that ever so important decision.

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 King James Version)

Your place of eternal residence is the most important aspect of your existence.

The second reason that our choices are so important is that they help map out the scenarios in our lives. Have you ever made a wrong turn on your journey? In the heat of the moment we may choose to complete a task halfway or to say something that may hurt someone's feelings, or hastily choose to indulge in actions that serve no long-term benefit. Hindsight has a tendency to be crystal clear and often we discover the right choices we could have made. The positive thing about those wrong choices is that God can use those "wrong turn" types of situations to help you learn and grow in your walk with Him.

But we must do our best to live right & to follow Him as closely as we can. You never know which one of your closest pals, co-workers, or lost family members may be watching how you conduct yourself and the example that you set for Christ.

3) The third and last reason that our choices matter so much is the most important of all: God won't be concerned with the friend group you were a part of, or how well-liked you were. He won't care what color your hair is, and he won't care about how much money you have. The particular area of inner shame has always been difficult for me because having a disability and growing up with incessant bullying and abuse throughout all of my childhood and teenage years worked to shape the way I viewed the world in a lot of ways until the Lord began dealing with my heart on that matter. I've clung to those around me when I should have chosen to cling to Christ. I didn't pray about any of the painful happenings in detail for a long while. The thing to remember is that He knows your life better than anyone else can ever know you. He will find a way to get you to face the uncomfortable areas in your life in one way or another. If you think you are shielding parts of your life from Him, there's nothing you can hide from Him, and you should never hold anything inside. He's always been there for me & He will always be there for you too. I've matured a lot on my journey & have felt my attitude shift for the better. I don't enjoy the term "self-love" so I'm not going to promote that. You don't want to be high-minded or boastful, but Christ wants you to see yourself as He sees you: Wonderfully made in His image. Be comfortable with who you are because He loves you so much more than you could ever imagine. It's not about self-love. It's about choosing to trust in Christ and to accept God's approval as enough for your life.

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and my soul knoweth right well." ( Psalm 139:14 King James Version)

He is concerned with how you deal with your circumstances.

God will deal with us as individuals & cares deeply about the smallest of details. He is concerned about the choices we make each day.

So many are engrossed in the pleasures of this world, but in the end, none of that will matter. I've noticed that most of the people in this new generation are all about themselves. This a generation of followers. Young people are into all the Tik Tok trends, reality television, and YouTubers. (I still don't quite understand the terminology behind "social media influencers...what is that?)

None of that will matter.

Everything will boil down to the personal choices that you made when you stand before God and give an account of your life.

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36 King James Version)

I am so thankful that Christ gives us endless opportunities each day to make the right choices. Open your eyes and see that this world offers you nothing. Your outward appearance holds no true meaning at all. The condition of your heart and eternal end for your soul defines everything.

Please come to Christ and trust in Him for salvation before it is too late. It will be the best decision you'll ever make.

Don't live as a follower, live as a leader for Christ.

"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 24:15 King James Version)