Choices

When I first learned that I was diabetic it became apparent that I would have to change my eating habits. I needed to make healthier choices, to eat more protein and veggies, and to forgo carbohydrates. I learned to read labels and packaging, looking for hidden sugars and making my calories count. Some days it was harder than others. I developed a mantra that I repeat to myself even today: “I can eat to live or I can eat to die. Today I choose to eat to live.” Not every day, though. Some days I am tired or discouraged or grumpy, and I eat the wrong things. I eat to die. I didn’t just come up with this and say it once. I repeat it every day. I have to make this choice every day.

The same is true with my Christian life.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying his voice and holding fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:19-20

First I must choose life, the life that is only found in Jesus. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus for salvation, do so. Do it now. Don’t wait. Why would you choose death? Choose life today.

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.

John 14:6

I must also choose each day who I am going to live for. Will I live for myself, investing in temporary and earthly things? Or will I live for the One who gave me life? How will I invest my time and energy? Will my day belong to me or God?

Choose for yourself today whom you will serve… Joshua 24:15

It’s a choice I have to make every single day, sometimes hour-by-hour and minute-by-minute. Will I stop and share God’s love with that inconvenient person? Will I choose to spend a few minutes in the Word? Is my time mine, or his?

Just like choosing to eat for life, I have to choose to live for life and for the One who gave me life. Some days it’s harder than others. Some days all I want to do is nap and eat chocolate. Bring on the brownies! Some days I want to walk by that annoying, needy person without seeing them or stopping to affirm their worth in the eyes of God.

It helps to remember that I am chosen, and was chosen first by God before I even knew that I needed him. My choice to live for him is only possible because I am his beloved. I can be kind because of his kindness to me. I can be patient because of his great patience.

And so, as those who have been chosen by God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Colossians 3:12-14

Today, choose life. Choose to live the life that God has given you. Put on life and love like your favorite jeans and t-shirt. Wear them and grow comfortable with them. It’s a daily thing, but it’s worth it.

Witnesses of Life

A common theme among several of my friends lately has been how to share the gospel of Jesus to others. We all know that we are supposed to be ready to share, but we struggle with how exactly we are supposed to do that. Here are a few guidelines that I have found helpful:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. I Peter 3:15

1. Set Christ as Lord. If you want others to embrace the good news of life in Jesus, they need to see that you have fully embraced it. Live. Be fully alive in him.

2. Be prepared. Read your Bible. Get to know the Jesus you are hoping to introduce others to. Just remember that you will never be completely prepared. God will use you to love others, right where you are.

3. Life in Christ is hope. Because of Jesus, our lives are better. We may not have money and ease, and our physical lives may be difficult, but we have the promise of never going through anything alone. We have access to the peace that passes understanding. Jesus came that we might have joy. Joy is good! A certain future is great! Knowing that we are loved, no matter what, is better yet.

4. Treat others with gentleness and respect. We need to see others as individuals, people about whom God cares deeply, and not notches on our belts. We reach to others for their benefit, not for ours. We are reconcilers, bringing people together in relationship with their God.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  

Acts 1:8

Jesus told his disciples that they would be his witnesses. Not that they needed to do anything to become witnesses, but that they would simply be witnesses. Witnesses are people who testify about what they know. That’s all. They don’t say anything that they don’t know; just tell about what God is doing in their lives. God will give them whatever words they need.

Often I complicate the matter. How can I convince others to accept the love that Jesus has for them? How can I save people? These are questions asked out of my own fear, not out of love or faith. I don’t want to look foolish, or fail. What if someone else’s salvation depends on me? What a silly question! I can’t save anyone. I can’t convince anyone or coerce anyone into heaven. The Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation, not me.

My job is to abide, to live immersed in the love of Jesus, and to live that love for others. I am alive! Life is good. No fear. Just love. Witnessing to others the love that Jesus is living out in my life. Radiating joy. God will do the rest.