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A Question of Priorities
by Cindee Snider Re We have a choice in this life: live for God or live for ourselves. Joshua posed that question to the Israelites more than 3000 years ago. After finally escaping 400 years of slavery and then wandering for another 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua challenged the people to "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." The people had a choice: live for God or live for themselves, serve God or continue to serve their man-made idols. God had proven Himself faithful and trustworthy time after time, and now Joshua asked the people to choose. They couldn't have it both ways. It was either God or themselves. Three thousand years later, we're still struggling with the same question. Whom will we serve? Will we choose to live our lives for God or slip into a quiet rebellion and live for ourselves? Will we seek God's will or blend into the culture around us, mirroring society's morals and values? Will we make Bible reading, prayer, and weekly worship a priority or will we continue to allow our tightly packed schedules, sports, work, events and obligations to decide for us? King Solomon once said, "There is nothing new under the sun." Times have definitely changed, but Joshua's question remains the same. Whom will you serve? My son walked out into the yard and found me sitting quietly at the top of our hill. "Mom, what are you doing?" "Just thinking," I answered. "About what?" "About what's happened to us as people of God that we've forgotten who God is and what that means. We blend so much into the world around us that others fail to see God in us. We've forgotten what it means to be holy to be set apart for God, not perfect, just different. When we live for God, His love and compassion shine through us and others see that. They notice a difference and are curious. They wonder why we're willing to get involved, willing to give, willing to help, expecting nothing in return. They see a peace and joy in our lives that aren't dependent on our circumstances, and they want what we have. They want God. It's God they need, and it's God Who makes all the difference, Who makes life worth living, Who gives color and meaning, joy and dimension, vitality and value to our lives, and since we know that, I wonder why we're still so drawn to all the activities that leave us exhausted and empty and unfulfilled? We're choosing the hard way, when we could be choosing God and getting so much more besides. So, this day, whom will you choose? "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Cindee Snider Re lives in Sussex, WI with her husband, their five children, two cats, and two Shichon puppies. She enjoys quiet evenings, long walks, good books, homeschooling her kids, and lots of good, strong, hot, black tea. August, 2011 http://www.BreatheDeeply.org Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |