Choice

Choice

“If you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

BACK IN COLLEGE, a boyfriend unexpectedly ended our relationship. It was clear that he wasn’t over his ex-girlfriend, and they were getting back together. At the time, I was blindsided and hurt. As time went on, the sting faded, but a niggling voice in my brain still mourned the loss.

A few years later, he was visiting town and asked to meet for dinner at a restaurant. I had just started dating Tim, but I already knew he was important. I had the sense that if I went to the dinner, I would know—either there were unresolved feelings I had to figure out before moving forward with Tim, or this would provide needed closure.

Dinner that night was fun. His personality was still funny and warm, and we had a great conversation. But when he invited me to continue talking after dinner, I declined. Though he was the same person, I wasn’t. I had made my choice. On the way home, I called Tim and explained what had happened, ending with my relief. I no longer needed to worry about a pesky “what if” arising in the future. When Tim asked me to marry him, I said yes without reservation.

I’m grateful for that encounter because I think the opportunity is rare. Yes, sometimes we’re asked to make a big choice and we understand the gravity. But all too often, our life is made up of small choices that add up to the sum of a larger choice. It would be a mistake for me to think that my single decision to close the door on a former relationship was the only time I would choose my now-husband: as most people would tell you, love is a daily choice. So it is in our relationship with Jesus, as well. Though we begin by making the larger choice of salvation, we must follow it up with smaller decisions to love and serve him—because choosing Jesus daily determines the trajectory for our life.

Lord, give us your wisdom as we face choices. Help us choose paths that honor you. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: Write a list of five small decisions that have added up to larger choices in your life. How does knowing the contents of that list influence your decisions today?