People are very different. Whether it’s their lifestyles or the life situations that they are in, everyday and all day you notice the many differences.
There are some things however, that unite us as human beings. It is the ability to choose. We all have this capacity to choose, and we continue to live in a state of making choices. In fact, there are times when we think that we’re making no decision-that in itself is a choice. What we do with our money, our time, and our relationships are all choices. Where we go, and what we do when we get there, are all decisions and choices.
The book of St. John the 6th chapter shows a very interesting choice that Jesus put to His disciples. Their subsequent response is worth noting. After asking the larger number of disciples (some say there were as many as 500), to step up their level of commitment to him, many of them chose to leave. Seeing so many of them walk away, Jesus immediately turned and posed a question to the small group of disciples that remained. “Will you also go?” He asked. It was decision time. One disciple quickly responded. “Where will we go? You have the words of eternal life.
What is so striking about that disciple’s comments is that with the choice he made, it showed that he counted the cost. He determined that it wasn’t worth it to him to leave the Lord. The value that he placed on staying with Jesus outweighed the price he would have paid by walking away.
This passage has me asking a similar question today. Is it worth it? The choice that you are about to make, have you counted the cost? Have you seriously considered the value that you are placing on your decision? Think about it. What you are about to say, what you are about to do. Maybe it’s where you’re about to go. Have you thought about the cost that comes with saying it, doing it, or going there? Sometimes the answer to those questions is, it cost too much.
Oftentimes the types of choices we make can lead us away from the heart of God. On the other hand, there are times when the value we place on decisions we make involve great blessings, and reveal to others that we are indeed His children. St. John the 3rd chapter, Jesus tells of the difficult choice that God The Father made, and by that choice opened a doorway to life for all. Was the choice God made worth it? Absolutely!
I’m not sure what decision you are about to make, nor do I know the outcome of that decision. I just pray that you will count the cost, and choose like Him.
Living To Please Him!
Pastor Terry
There are so many choices I am faced with on a daily basis. Many are inconsequential like what I'll have for breakfast or what shirt I'll wear. Then there are the choices which can alter the course of my day and even my life. When I come to those forks I remember that without God's guidance in my life I consistently make chioces that negatively effect me and often the people in my life. When God directs my choices it is sometimes in conflict with what I feel but in harmony with what I know is His way and His plans for good in my life. I've come to find out that any choice for temporary comfort, ease or pleasure is not worth the price to be paid or ground lost in my journey to be as close to God's heart as I can get, and help as many as I can find their way there also. I choose God's doorway to life everytime.
ReplyDeleteIS IT WORTH IT?
ReplyDeleteI am asking you, IS IT?!
Everyday we have to count the cost. Whether it’s a financial cost when it comes to dealing with or staying within our budgets, an emotional cost, or a spiritual and relational cost, etc… If we fail to consider the cost in regards to our finances, the result is debt and all that it entails (Proverbs 22:7). If we fail to consider the cost of being led by our emotions in lieu of His Spirit, the result is defeat (Romans 8:13-14). Likewise, if we fail to consider the cost of our spiritual relationship with God over ANY other relationship, we become insignificant to the Kingdom (Matthew 10:37-39).
Very recently I was faced with a decision that seemed minute in comparison to everything else going on in my life. My husband expressed his support of any decision I made in regards to this particular situation, and I even had the support of some family members and friends. The choice I made was not “wrong” but it was not the right decision (James 4:17). I can honestly say that I did not consider how God felt or what He thought (Jeremiah 29:11).
Sometimes we act in pure ignorance or in JUST PLAIN DISOBEDIENCE. I was the disobedient one. And I am certainly not proud of that. I have since repented (apologized, asked for forgiveness, and most importantly RECTIFIED the situation). If I had consulted God beforehand, my choice would have been different.
It is so important to seek God, consider Him, and only follow Him. Sometimes we think our decisions are in harmony with God’s Will for our lives just because we see other Christians “doing it”. THAT IS SO NOT TRUE! Like I stated in a previous post, God has a unique will and a customized plan for everyone’s individual life (Jeremiah 29:11).
I declare that I am counting the cost, and considering God as I continue to seek Him!
Deuteronomy 28 (Which is one of my favorites) talks about the Blessings and the Curses of life which also translates into choices of "Life" or "Death". I used to often wonder why God gave us the blessings and curses and had to tell us, to still choose Life (Blessings)? It seemed to be so obvious...Dah!!
ReplyDeleteBut then one day I was faced with the choice of Life & Death (Veering on the side of death) and the Lord asked me not to commit a sin to cover my sin. Fear was making it very hard to agree with God and choose life! But with the help of a friend who loved the Lord and loved me, I chose to agree with God and chose not to commit the sin I had so desperately felt I was trapped to do.
And for a little over 16 years I have watched my choice for life grow into a beautiful young woman who loves the Lord our God. I chose not to have an abortion in 1992, thus giving birth to Tovah in 1993!
I understand now why at times God has to tell us the obvious over and over. Because when fear strikes the heart, it can consume us. God's love is really the only thing that conquers fear at its finest.
Praise God for choices, but praise Him more for His guidance to make the right choice.