In the beginning God pushed back the darkness and chaos to usher in the light. He spoke the word and it was so. Each day of creation that unfolded followed the same pattern of God speaking and it being so.
In the beginning of our lives we are all creations of God’s hand. But for many of us, at some point we lose that connection and find ourselves separated from God. This is through the choices we make. It is not God’s doing. For those who did not grow up in the faith, they feel that hole that cannot be filled on their own. All feel a pull towards the divine.
So why doesn’t God simply speak and make each of us a faithful and constant follower of Christ? Why doesn’t God speak and have it be so? Life would be do much simpler!
Although we are created in the image of God and are all loved by God, He does not force himself upon us. We are given a free will to make our own choices. When we are allowed to choose for ourselves, we are so much more invested in the outcome.
A forced faith is not true faith. We must each choose to enter into a relationship with Christ and then daily continue to walk in that relationship. He loves us enough to let us choose. This day may we choose the Lord.
Scripture reference: Genesis 1: 1-5
Tag Archives: choose
As for me and my house…
A part of each denomination, each church, and each family are its traditioons. Traditions can take two forms. One form is found in the way a denomination baptizes, for example, or in how the Youth group always leads the Easter sunrise service in a partiular church. Tradition can also be personal – the things your family or small group does every year, like serving the Thanksgiving meal at the local mission.
In many churches and families we face the question of which traidtions to keep and which ones need renewing or updating. Some traditions we do not even consider changing and that is good. However, other traditions we wonder about. Some traditions, particularly in individual churches, are so old that no one can remember why it is done that way. Finally someone questions that and suggests another way and change occurs. But it is a delicate balance. Change must be made with care.
Sometimes we establish a tradition and after a period come to see that it is not such a good practice. Like Joshua reminding the Israelites not to return to the practice of worshipping idols like they had in Egypt and Babylon, we too must check what we are doing once in a while. All that we choose to do must be fittered through the lens of how do we best serve God. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua declares, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” He challenges the people of Israel to make the same choice. He challenges us too.
As we look at the traditions of our denominations, our churches, and our families, we must ask if these traditions are serving God. If that is their purpose, then they must continue. If not, we must seek to renew them so that they are things that help us to serve God. Ultimtely, all we do in the church must support the choice that Joshua encourages us to make. May you and your household serve the Lord!
Scripture reference: Joshua 24: 14-18
Choosing His Way
Our broken world needs God. For many living in brokenness, we will be the first bible they every read. Although we are not of this world, we are to be in the world. God calls us to be His hands and feet, using whatever gifts He has given us to make His world a better place. We cannot simply and only exit within the four walls of our homes and our churches. We must step outside into the fray.
To be a “living sacrifice” we must be willing to give up and share some of our stuff – our time, our money and resources, our gifts and talents, and ourselves. As God becomes more, we become less. Our decisions and actions look less like ours and more like His. ‘Other’ supercedes ‘self’.
As we become increasingly aware of the world’s needs and our role in meeting those needs, we become more aware that our whole life is an act of worship. Our simple greeting of another becomes a way of sharing God’s love with another in need. Our conversation with the store’s employee becomes an opportunity to minister. Our choice of how to conduct ourselves at work becomes an extension of our worship. Our choice of what to do with our free Saturday becomes a reflection of God being a priority in our life instead of ourself being the priority.
Our words offer hope, love, reconciliation, healing. Our actions bring relief, justice, provision, protection. As we live into this type of Christianity, God’s spirit and presence in our life grows deeper and deeper within us. As people that are broken begin to know God through our words and actions, they begin to know God too. Every word we offer and every action that we make can bring ourselves and other closer to God. May we choose wisely this day.
Scripture reference: Romans 12: 1-8
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