Choose The Lord

In several conversations recently I've said these words, "life is about choices." Because choices are often systematic even unconscious, I doubt anyone can number the choices made in just a few hours of the day. Some choices we make bring great joy while others lead to heavy consequences; and, I propose this to be most evident in our spiritual lives. Jesus began His earthly ministry by repeating these words in Matthew 5, "Bless are the ..." - happy and spiritually prosperous are those who choose the ways of The Lord. The tone is set for the psalms with these words, "blessed is the man ..." - again, happy, fortunate and spiritually successful is the one who chooses wisely in spiritual matters. What sounds as such easy strategy, the application of it is actually arduous - difficult and tiring, requiring great strength. In spite of clever plans and most concerted efforts, options overwhelm us and lead us in a wrong direction. Words that help me personally, day by day to consider my choices are those of Joshua: "Fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth ... serve the Lord ... choose for yourselves today whom you will serve ... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:14-15 NASB). I suggest we too quickly agree "yes, I serve the Lord" - but genuine service happens one choice at a time! Note Joshua said "choose today" - one day at a time, one choice at a time do we choose to "fear the Lord and serve Him." The number of our days belong to The Lord, and so should the choices [of those numbered days] belong to Him. A life of spiritual prosperity is absolutely possible when it is The Lord we continually ... choose the Lord.