CHOICES
The ability to choose is the willpower God has given men and it is interesting to say that even when He wants something from us, He wants us to surrender that willpower by choice. He does not enforce Himself on us. I have observed through life and discovered that we are all a product of our choices (the choice of the family one comes from is not on us, but what you make of yourself is on you). I have seen people who come from disturbed homes or single homes become great people in life and some from wealthy homes amount to nothing in life, it tells us background is not as powerful as our choices. Our choices in life always have a consequence which could be positive or negative. Sometimes the consequence can be severe than anticipated. And always remember this, we are always choosing in life, even when we are not making a choice, you are still choosing.
What I do not get at times is why the young ones prefer to go through bad experiences at times when they could have learned the lesson from the adult who trod the same path, from either information the adult gives them or the result that can be visibly seen. When I was in my final year at the university, I was living on campus in one of the hostels. In my room, there was this young beautiful new university entrant, she used to go all night to read (that is what we assumed because she always had her books with her) and return the following morning, then get ready for class. I was impressed thinking she was on the right path, the only concern I had for her, was the influx of guys that comes to visit her in the room daily. I felt they were her distraction and besides these guys were looking for fresh students to devour.
One day, I went to read in the night, she came to the class where I was reading, then I observed throughout the night, that different guys were coming to see her till the dawn then I said to myself, oh what a waste of time. I observed the same thing another time and decided to call her and advise her. I told her, pointing to a friend of mine who is very beautiful but had her focus in the right place, I told her to set her priorities right if she wants to graduate with a distinction, she must set the tone from her first year. I even shared my own decision with her to ensure I succeed but she did not listen.
At the end of her first year, I asked her how she performed only to discover that she did not perform well in her academics, and she had tears in her eyes. See how she wasted all those nights, that she could have put to good use even though she was doing what she thought was needed to excel in her studies. Her inability to cut off distractions cost her, her goal. She cannot right the wrong to have a distinction again as her programme was just four years, all she could ever do is to come close to the distinction and not hit it. She wished she had listened.
Let us take a look at some characters in the bible, some made wrong choices while some made the right choices:
SAUL- Saul chose to go against the instruction he was given because he wanted to please his army, maybe for accolades or admiration and that cost him, his kingship. (1 Samuel 15)
NABAL — Nabal chose not to identify and help David because he felt David was of no reputation/class to him even though David and his men were kind to his shepherds and his folly eventually cost him his life. Sometimes, segregation can cost us our helpers of destiny. (1 Samuel 25)
CAIN & ABEL — There was something about the offering of Abel compared to his brother even though both brought the fruit of their produce, He chose to offer to God, the choicest of his first fruit and that made God have honour for his offering. (Genesis 4:1–6)
SAMSON — Samson’s desire (choice) for women who were not among his people despite warnings from his parents cost him his life and greater purpose. (Judges 14:1–19, 16:1, 23–31)
ANANAIS & SAPPHIRA — Even though they committed to a good, they chose to lie and keep part of the money they had pledged for God’s work, and this led to their death. They could have not given at all or give all, rather than lie. (Acts 5:1–11)
DANIEL — He is one person whose account intrigues me, he was taken at a young age from his parents, yet he was a youth of great understanding. Any other person coming from his background would say wow, what a pleasure, but he chose not to defile himself with the king’s meat. Some people when exposed to pleasures they never had, will be overtaken by it. (Daniel 1:8–16)
JOSEPH — He saw sleeping with his master’s wife as a sin against God and not even his master and chose not to commit fornication on his part. He could have slept with her and no one will know, a lot of people conceal such matter even in our time, but he chose well because he could have removed himself from God’s plan that way except God decides to show mercy. (Genesis 39:9)
Deuteronomy 30:19
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
Always remember our choices will always give either of two effects: life or death, blessings or curses, light, or darkness.
When we make choices that are right, good, pure, and of God, we unfold our path to life. And when we make choices that are wrong, disobedient to God, or against the inner voice of the Holy Spirit, we bring the process of death upon ourselves. And this allows the release of demonic emissaries to create havoc leading to pain, devastation, suffering, hurt, lasting consequences, and sometimes physical death.
We choose the direction we take, our work, and the use of our time, talent, and treasure, what we meditate on, look at, think on, and believe in, our attitude, actions, what/who to love, who to marry, whether to follow Christ or not.
The choices we make today determine our tomorrow, which may be good or bad to the extent of affecting our children and generation unborn. Eli’s refusal to reprimand his children to order cost generations unborn a consequence of a short lifespan (1 Samuel 2:27–36). Some of these wrong choices could cause irreversible consequences except God intervenes to right the wrong. They can not be undone even if they can be forgiven and that is why it is lovely if good choices can be made in the first place.
Our choices can make or break us. Making certain choices may be daunting (because you can have a certain choice before you that is alluring, enticing, looks fun but it leads to destruction) but do you know there is someone who can help. He is the person of the Holy Spirit. Choosing is easier when you live a life in communion with Him.
John 16:13
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Isaiah 30:21
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
You cannot have access to the Holy Spirit except you make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life. When Christ is your Lord, it will be easier to make the right choices. You can ask Him, “God, what do you want me to do regarding this matter?”
If you are yet to know Jesus, it is never too late to choose life. kindly take this payer below:
Lord Jesus, I come to you today asking you to accept me and forgive all my sins. Wash me with your precious blood that was shed for me. I am sorry for the way I have led my life all along. Be my Saviour, come, take the Lordship of my life from today. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit henceforth to be my friend, comfort, and guide. Amen.
Welcome to the Kingdom of Life. Look for a bible-believing church near you, get and read your bible and begin to follow Christ from today. His grace leads you. AMEN.
THE END
You can also check my previous story here.
Dan Moore Kris Gage Wake Up Call P.S. I Love You @writingsolo
