Choices
...choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Choices. They are all around us. Choice is a powerful tool in our lives that brings rewards and responsibilities. Good choices bring good consequences and bad choices...well, you know. We are responsible for the choices we make and the consequences they bring.
While some choices may seem miniscule, they can actually carry eternal consequences. Even the seemingly unimportant choice to eat unhealthy or the choice to have unhealthy habits (that I won't name, but you can think of some) can be the catalyst for health issues later in life. While we may not put much thought into them at the time, we may later reflect and "if only" those choices. I was reminded of this recently that a simple choice of where to sit in a car can be the difference between life and death.
Our choices can also be a stumbling block for others. The simple choice of missing a service for a questionable reason (a reason that wouldn't prevent you from working or going shopping) may make church attendance seem optional to some, and for others, may convey that church isn't as important as it should be. If our kids see that we make choices without the benefit of God's will, they will in turn not seek His will in their choices.
For Joshua, he made a choice and stood his ground. His time on earth was drawing to a close and he wanted those around him to know that he, his family, and all that belonged to him would serve Jehovah. His impassioned speech reminds them of their ancestors failed attempts to worship idols and other gods. If they chose to walk the same path because of the familiarity of those gods or the family heritage in the face of all Jehovah had provided for them, then he would not stand in their way. Joshua reminds them they would have no victory in the land where they now dwell without the help of Jehovah, but still, it was their choice. His choice was to follow Jehovah regardless of what others did. He knew this could cause him issues, but he stood firm.
His choice was born of a lifetime full of experiences where God provided for His people and being witness to His goodness. Nothing could sway Joshua from knowing that He was the one true God and worthy of worship.
Just like Joshua, our lives also reflect God's goodness and gracious love. We need to stand firm on the truth and declare to the world that regardless of what others choose, our choice will be to serve God.
So, what is your choice?
C
Choices. They are all around us. Choice is a powerful tool in our lives that brings rewards and responsibilities. Good choices bring good consequences and bad choices...well, you know. We are responsible for the choices we make and the consequences they bring.
While some choices may seem miniscule, they can actually carry eternal consequences. Even the seemingly unimportant choice to eat unhealthy or the choice to have unhealthy habits (that I won't name, but you can think of some) can be the catalyst for health issues later in life. While we may not put much thought into them at the time, we may later reflect and "if only" those choices. I was reminded of this recently that a simple choice of where to sit in a car can be the difference between life and death.
Our choices can also be a stumbling block for others. The simple choice of missing a service for a questionable reason (a reason that wouldn't prevent you from working or going shopping) may make church attendance seem optional to some, and for others, may convey that church isn't as important as it should be. If our kids see that we make choices without the benefit of God's will, they will in turn not seek His will in their choices.
For Joshua, he made a choice and stood his ground. His time on earth was drawing to a close and he wanted those around him to know that he, his family, and all that belonged to him would serve Jehovah. His impassioned speech reminds them of their ancestors failed attempts to worship idols and other gods. If they chose to walk the same path because of the familiarity of those gods or the family heritage in the face of all Jehovah had provided for them, then he would not stand in their way. Joshua reminds them they would have no victory in the land where they now dwell without the help of Jehovah, but still, it was their choice. His choice was to follow Jehovah regardless of what others did. He knew this could cause him issues, but he stood firm.
His choice was born of a lifetime full of experiences where God provided for His people and being witness to His goodness. Nothing could sway Joshua from knowing that He was the one true God and worthy of worship.
Just like Joshua, our lives also reflect God's goodness and gracious love. We need to stand firm on the truth and declare to the world that regardless of what others choose, our choice will be to serve God.
So, what is your choice?
C
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