The Power of Choice

I read a devotional recently that reminded me of an important truth. The author wrote: “We have more power than we realize. We have power because we can choose.” Of course every day requires choices; some are simple; some life-changing, but the power of choice is a gift we often take for granted.

Many of life’s choices require more than simply saying yes or no. They involve a lot of study and thought. The choices we make actually define who we are. Choices establish our core values that shape our faith and our actions, and determine how we live. As we are given the gift of each new day, we choose how we will use it. The question What will I do today? is ours to consider as each new day begins. Addressing the question will determine not only where we start but how we finish the day. Perhaps another question we need to ask as we address the choice of how to use each day is this: What do I want to accomplish? Choosing to set goals, regardless of how small, motivates us to stay active and productive, no matter what age we may be.

So all this got me to thinking about the choices we make to be a people of faith. The first choice we make as a people of faith is to choose a personal relationship with God. The key to meaningful faith is not just knowing about God, but knowing God in a personal way. The concept of choice is found throughout the Bible. Many of the stories are about choices people made and the consequences. The story of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis is about being tempted to disobey God and choosing to be disobedient. That choice damaged their relationship with God and there were negative consequences because of their disobedience. That story is repeated in scriptures through the lives of many others. The stories are of humanity’s disobedience, and God’s efforts to restore broken relationships. In the Old Testament Joshua offered clear advice to those who had turned their backs on God: "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Of course the ultimate scriptural story is of God’s reconciling love in Jesus Christ. So the second choice we make as people of faith is to follow Jesus. The call to discipleship first offered by Jesus was to a group of fishermen. It was expressed in an invitation that changed their lives forever: “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of people.” It was an invitation to learn – to learn more about God and God’s desires for their lives. It was an invitation to develop a deeper relationship with God and to learn about grace, the depth of God’s love and forgiveness. It was an invitation to receive transforming power to become more than they were to the glory of God. It was an invitation, as the apostle Paul said in one of his letters, to become “new creatures.” The response was to choose commitment, obedience, sacrificial giving and living. Little did the first disciples know that when they responded to the invitation to follow Jesus that the road would lead to a cross. Nor did they know that doing so would result in a moment in history that would transform the world for all time. In every century since then, persons who have responded to the invitation to discipleship have done so based on a commitment expressed in the words of an old gospel song, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”

The third choice we make as a people of faith is to live and love like Jesus. He said to those who would be his followers, “Come, take up your cross and follow me.” That is the invitation to a lifestyle of living that reflects Christ at work through us. It is a life of caring and compassion towards others. We can choose to ignore and hurt others, or choose to befriend and help others. We can choose to be indifferent toward others, or choose to love others, in response to Jesus’ new commandment to love one another as he has loved. We can choose our own self-centered desires, or we can choose God’s way as revealed in Jesus Christ.

My mother-in-law is almost 97 years old. She has many limitations because of health issues, but she can still get around because of an electric scooter. She lives in an assisted living facility in West Lafayette, Indiana. She is a person of deep faith who has been an inspiration to me, her family and many others who have come to know her. It is obvious that she recognizes each new day as a gift, and makes choices accordingly. She could choose to sit in front of her TV all day, except for meal times. She could choose to stay to herself, and ignore the world outside her room. But she doesn’t make those choices. In fact she is one of the most active senior residents in the home. She goes to Bible study regularly, and almost all of the other scheduled activities including exercise classes, even though she always has some pain or discomfort. She visits her friends and neighbors, and offers companionship for the journey. Each day she chooses to live life as fully as possible in a conscious awareness of others and their needs. She takes advantage of the opportunities each new day offers. She chooses to embrace life. In a sense, she chooses whom she will serve as long as she has breath.

The following verses were reported to have been written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India. “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” These inspiring words remind us that we have choices to make about how we can live with meaning and purpose.

A woman celebrating her 100 birthday was asked if she had any advice to offer. She replied, “Live by faith and take one day at a time, one step at a time. It’s all about choices we make. It’s up to us to make life as good as possible not only for ourselves but others as well.”

Life is about choices and the choices we make define who we are. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Choose to live and love like Jesus. Choose today to live life as fully as possible. May God help us to choose wisely in all things as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Easter People

The Sunday after Easter, is sometimes referred to as “low Sunday” in the life of the church. Why? Because attendance is down, the crowds are gone, the events of Holy Week are over, the excitement of the “Hallelujah Chorus” has faded, and things have returned to a more normal and subdued pace. Following Easter, we must once again face day-to-day living in a Good Friday world often filled with challenging times and unexpected experiences. So how might the message of Jesus Christ's resurrection help us face everyday living?

Following Jesus’ crucifixion, even his chosen disciples asked, “What do we do now?” Some went back to their old ways of life. Earlier when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” it was Peter who boldly replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” but, in the days following the crucifixion, even he returned to his trade as a fisherman.

Following the resurrection, it took a while for Jesus’ chosen disciples to become empowered to proclaim the Easter message and continue what he had begun. The central message of the Christian gospel was expressed in three words: “He has risen!” Once the disciples experienced Jesus’ resurrection and claimed that message and its meaning for their lives, they were renewed and transformed. They became empowered by Jesus’ words of promise and bore witness to what they had seen and heard. And in so doing they transformed the world with the message of the gospel! It was up to those early disciples to interpret the meaning of the resurrection through words and deeds.

That was then, some two thousand years ago. But this is now, the 21st century. What is supposed to happen after Easter? What does it take for us to move beyond despair to claim the hope of the Easter faith?

If Easter is to become more than a day to observe, its message must transform our lives too. Today it’s up to us as Christ’s 21st century disciples to interpret the meaning of the resurrection – to offer a message that transforms all despair into hope. We are called to claim the resurrection faith and become transformed to live as Easter people. But how do we live as Easter people in a Good Friday world?

Living as Easter people primarily involves two things: First, it’s about what we believe. Easter people claim Christ’s promises for faithful living.

Some of Jesus’ promises that he shared with his disciples that all can claim as his followers are these:

“Because I live, you shall live also.” “ I will be with you always…” “You shall receive power…”

Consider the implications of these promises for our lives. Because of Christ’s promises we can begin each new day in the secure knowledge that we will never again face life's obstacles alone! Our risen Lord gives us hope for the future, what ever it may bring.

Second, it’s about how we choose to live: Easter people live and love like Jesus.Again we look to Jesus to define the lifestyle we are to follow: Praying for guidance … Living a lifestyle of compassion and servant-hood… Sacrificial giving/living. We need to ask, "How are these expressions of discipleship being expressed in our lives?

As Easter people we need to remember Christ’s promises and in so doing, we will find strength to live and love like him! Being Easter people involves living in such a way that others might see Christ in us!

Although Easter Day 2011 has passed, the message is one for every day. Easter proclaims a message for a life-time. The message of Easter moves us from despair to hope regardless of life’s circumstances. Our hope rests in what God has done on our behalf through Jesus Christ on a cross and an empty tomb. The hope required to keep going comes from knowing that God is with us and will never forsake us. Christ has shown us the way!

The Apostle Paul said it this way: “We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt; but never despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:-8-9) That is the promise that transforms despair into hope and enables believers to become Easter people!

A contemporary poet has expressed it this way: “Every morning is Easter morning from now on! Every day is resurrection day, the battle o’er death has been won. I need not fear from the rising to the setting sun; For I am one of the Easter people -- my new life has begun.”

Thanks be to God!