The Choice Is Yours

Webster says that a choice is an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. We make choices daily and most people absolutely abhor when their choices are taken away. One of the best choices believers made is the decision to follow Jesus. How awful would it have been if that choice was decided for them? God is a God of choices. He chose the believer and the believer made the choice to follow Him. Best
decision ever? The choice to follow Jesus is just one of the many choices there are.

There are so many other choices in life, but let’s focus on joy and misery. Joy is a choice. Some choose to wallow in the mud of negative situations. They are choosing misery. Now, to the sound mind that does not make sense, right? No one in their right mind would willingly choose MISERY over Joy, right? Nonetheless, we all have found ourselves wallowing in the mud of self-doubt, self-pity, sadness, or some other negative emotion at one time or another. To wallow means to roll about or lie relaxed in mud or water. Animals do this to keep cool or to avoid biting insects, or to spread their scent. Why, then, do humans do it? What scent are you giving off as a believer when you wallow or rest in the mud of self-doubt, self-pity, sadness, anger, or some other negative emotion? Is the
fragrance sweet to the nose of Christ or even those around you? Ask yourself, “What are you choosing?”

Amidst your situation, you have a choice. During your misery, you have a choice. God is a God of choices. You will choose either joy or misery. What are you choosing? Are you choosing a life of Joy or a life of Misery? Are you allowing life’s situations to take away your choice? Are you living your life in such a way that regardless of what you are going through that others see the love of Christ on you? Or are you living your life stuck in the
muck and miry clay with the stench of life’s problems dripping from you? What are you choosing?

JOY is a choice. It is a choice given to you from God. It is not forced upon you but readily available for you. What are you choosing as you go about your day? Joy is a choice! Misery is a choice! As a child of God, you have the power to chose JOY. During life happening, your faith can persevere. David wrote, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God, many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. (Psalms 40:1-3}”
In a world of choices “What are you choosing?” Choose JOY; it will change your entire perspective and someone else’s.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for allowing us to make our own decisions. Thank You for free-will. Thank You also for closing doors as too many options can be confusing. Thank You for showing us the importance of choosing joy. Thank You for Your Word that leads and guides. Forgive us for turning away from You, for choosing Misery over Joy, and for failing to praise You despite our circumstances. Forgive us for forgetting that You will never leave us or forsake us especially in stormy times. Forgive us for allowing human frailty to cause
us to fall. Thank You for catching us when we do. Thank You for hearing us when we cry out. Thank You for keeping us through life’s situations. Today, Lord, I choose JOY just as I chose You. I want JOY to be a part of my waking and laying down and I’m so happy that I can make that choice. In the matchless name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns