Choices

Some choices are easier than others.  Just yesterday as I was backing out of a parking space that was incredibly small, it appeared that I had the choice of hitting the Mercedes parked beside me or the Jaguar behind me.  I have a rather large and old vehicle that would have made a huge impression on either of those around me.  Neither choice was appealing.

Other choices in life are easier.  As Christians we don’t often choose between good and bad – we often have to choose between degrees of good.  Let me explain…

Many of us don’t struggle with choices like, “Should I steal that or not?”  Hopefully, those thoughts don’t occur to us.  Instead, we face decisions like, “How should I spend my time?” or “How should I spend my money?”  We make these decisions every day, often unconsciously.  Today, I chose to eat lunch out with my kids.  Because I had coupons for free meals for them, it was an easy choice.  However, the amount that I spent on my meal was still probably more than what I would have spent eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for all of us at home.  In this case, I think I made a wise choice.  It was a welcome treat to go out and we enjoyed our time together for roughly $6.00.  Quite a bargain for four people in today’s world!  However, there are times when I get busy and find myself ordering take out or going out to eat too many times, wasting valuable resources – money that could have been spent helping someone in need.  Of course, I rationalize my expenses because I do help those in need, but was it really necessary to spend that money on a dinner out?  Do you get my point? 

I’m not suggesting that we worry over every detail and get caught up in minutiae, but I do think we need to be attentive to the choices we make.  Are we primarily using our resources (time, talents, and money) on ourselves or others; on convenience for us or to further God’s kingdom; to bring pleasure to us or to glorify God?

I pray that we trust God with what He’s given us and give it back to Him… not because we have to, but because we love Him and want to.  The reality is that He’s the one who gave them to us anyway. God wants to pour His blessings to us and through us so that His loved can be shared and multiplied.  Choose to bless someone today!

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2

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