Who do you choose?
Life is all about making choices. If you watch television or get on social media, you’re faced with the barrage of political candidates clamoring, “Choose me!”
I’ll be SO relieved when the election is over and I pray that some civility will return to our country and we can work together to solve our problems.
But, today, I’m not discussing politics. I’m focusing on another kind of choice.
Who do you chose?
“Huh?” you may ask?
More specifically, who do you chose to serve, to give your allegiance to? What is the most important relationship in your life?
Joshua assembled the Israelites and put that question to them.
Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:14-15
This may seem too obvious to you. “Of course, I serve God,” you may answer. “I’m a Christian.”
Now some harder questions–“What are the most important things in your life? Do any of these people, goals, or material objects stand between you and God?”
And another–“Who or what comes between you and Jesus?”
Joshua spoke to the Israelites about the pagan gods that came between them and the Lord Almighty. But, if we examine ourselves closely, are there obstacles between us and God?
- Career
- Family
- Material desires
- Social Media
- Others?
I’ll be the first to admit that my family is the most important thing in my life. But, if my family comes before my relationship with Jesus, they are an idol. If Jesus is first in my life, it doesn’t mean I love my family less. It means that I’m entrusting my family to Jesus.
But what about our jobs, church responsibilities, writing, social media, or any other of the plethora of obligations and activities we face on a daily basis? How do we chose what is important that doesn’t interfere with our service to God?
We can find the answer directly from Jesus.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:38-40
Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few are needed–or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
Our Lord reminds us of the most important choice. Of course we must fulfill our responsibilities to family, career, and church, but we can still do that and keep our Lord first.
Such an important lesson here my friend. My family means the world to me, but I have come to realize I can’t protect them, care for them, guide them, and direct them. God can do for them the very same thing I trust Him to do for me. For that reason, I am learning to give them to God; to entrust Him with my most precious gifts on this earth. I am their “Caretaker”, just as I am to the other blessings He’s given me. I must be a good steward of His blessings so He will continue to bless me and my family. What a wonderful lesson ma’am. Sometimes it’s difficult to let go of them and give them to God, just as it is difficult to surrender parts of ourselves to God. Yet, it is oh so worth it.
You expressed this challenge so much better than I was able to, J.D. It took me many years to recognize the necessity of “giving” my family into God’s care and even longer to actually do it. But, as you remind us, He can protect them and we must trust Him to do so. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and blessing today.
Thanks Katherine. We have choices everyday beginning with the time we set an alarm. I read from Mark this morning, that wrong thinking is based on two things-not knowing the scriptures and diminishing the power of God. This correlated so well with your post on choices as the basis for decisions.
Your comment really made me think, Marilyn. My family is going through a trial at this moment and I’m struggling with some “wrong thinking” about God’s power. You’ve reminded me to seek God’s Word to renew my faith in His Power. Thank you. It’s such a blessing to receive inspiration from God’s messengers.
Katherine, choosing God first seems easy, and we may choose Him over all other aspects of life in general. However, when days are challenging and time is short, it’s easy to allocate too much time to other people and interests while neglecting to spend adequate time and attention on God. Thank you for this important reminder and these passages.
I agree, Jeannie. It seems obvious to us, that as Christians, God is always first. But, in reality, with such busy lives, we sometimes don’t recognize when something or someone separates us from God. In these times of trial, our nation and world are in need of prayer. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our Lord and His people.
I admit I’ve always been more of a Martha than a Mary. It’s difficult being a Mary in a Martha world. But I am learning the necessity to slow down and sit at the feet of God if I want to experience the life of abundance He came to give.
But I do have to be deliberate about it. My mantra “don’t just sit there, do something!” needs to allow times to “Don’t do something, just sit there!”
Oh, my friend, I have the same struggle. I feel the need to be busy and productive all the time, perhaps the compulsion to be useful? Or, maybe just the way I was raised to work hard at home and in service to others. So, I’m very challenged by the “Mary” example. My heart knows that Mary is doing the most important thing when sitting at the Lord’s feet listening. But, my mind tells me, “Do this first,” and I don’t make it to my Lord’s feet to listen often enough. Like you suggest, I need to be deliberate about it. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone in my struggle. Praying that we both can make spending time with our Lord a priority.
Great post, Katherine! I don’t think many people realize how easy it is to have idols in our lives. Spouses, children, friends, parents, and vocation can all take the place of Jesus without us realizing it. Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can fulfil our life.
Thank you!
You remind us of an important point, Stephanie. Often, we don’t realize when something interferes with our relationship with Jesus. We need to regularly examine and pray about our priorities and keep Jesus in first place. Thank you!
Wow. What a powerful reminder. We have so many idols in this culture. I think one of the greatest is luxury… even the poorest among us have so much more than people in other parts of the world. The idol of luxury leads us to believe we don’t need Christ as individuals or as a society. We must choose Christ over our comfort. I need to be reminded of this personally, so I thank you for this post.
I agree, Pastor Joshua, that we have so much compared to others in the world. Our cravings and envy can definitely come between us and our Lord. Thank you for reminding me of that important aspect. Although my family is far from wealthy, we are so blessed and, even in the hard times, I need to be reminded of that. Thank you.
This really stuck out to me, Katherine: ” If Jesus is first in my life, it doesn’t mean I love my family less. It means that I’m entrusting my family to Jesus.” I think my head knows this, but I’m not sure my heart remembers that regularly. Thanks so much for the very important reminder! (Missed you in NC. Praying for you!)
I missed you, Julie. I am sure that NCCWC was wonderful and I hope that you all were blessed by being in Liberty.That’s such a wonderful characteristic of writer’s conferences. The encouragement, prayer, optimism, and loving support blesses everyone. Thank you for your prayers. They are much needed and greatly appreciated.