Choices

“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods. (Joshua 24:14-16 ESV). "You don't get to choose how you're going to die, or when. You can only decide how you're going to live." - Joan Baez Most people go through life like a river, carried about by a seemingly uncontrollable current, pushed from one place to another. Where the river empties is their destination. This is not the best way to live your life! While there is no denying there will always be certain things out of our control, to a large extent, we have a great ability to control how we live. What direction do you choose when evil is in your path? Do you turn away and steer clear from it, or do you allow it to drag you into its dangerous current, pulling you farther and farther away from God? The power to make choices is a gift every Christian has been given with the presence of the Holy Spirit. We all have it, but how often do we exercise it when choosing to reject evil? The decision to reject those things which God shuns can often be difficult, even painful, but the end result is well worth it because our wise decision brings us one step closer to God. The real key is in commitment. "When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song," tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. "He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, 'Shall I be a teacher or a singer?' "'Luciano,' my father replied, 'if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.' I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book--whatever we choose--we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that's the key. Choose one chair." Today, ask yourself how you are going to live your life, whether you are going to pursue sin or godliness. Once you evaluate, act; pull up all your strength and place your trust in God. Our Heavenly Father has great rewards in store for those who fervently seek after righteousness.