Choices.
We all have them. Every single day. From the moment we wake up to the moment we lay our heads back on the pillow we are faced with choices. Some of them are simple; such as what do I wear today (okay maybe this just easy with guys), what do I eat this morning, what should I do today, do I wear my hair up or down, is it a lazy day or look super cute day. Some of them are harder; such as, what do I want to major in, what do I want to do for the rest of my life, who do I want to marry, what type of ice cream should I buy (for those of you who know me, you know this is a very difficult task for me).
We are faced with other choices as well that don’t come with necessarily day to day simple tasks but are just as hard. When your family or friend hurts you, do you choose to be bitter or choose to forgive them? When someone talks about you behind your back, do you confront them with peace and grace or turn around and do the same thing? When God taps you on the shoulder to be His child do you accept Him? When God calls you out of your comfort zone do you become obedient to Him?
God works in us and around us every single day and He is such a loving God that He lets us have the ability to make our own choices. We can choose to accept Him and know we are loved. Or we can choose to turn from Him and live as sinners. God loves us so much He sent His only Son to die for us. And He wants us to follow Him, He wants us to choose Him so He can work in us and use us. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” God LOVES US. HE wants to WORK IN US. But we must choose Him.
Choose to take up our cross and follow Him daily. Don’t you just love that? TAKE UP OUR CROSS! Luke 9:23 says, “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” God wants you and I to take up our cross daily and CHOOSE HIM. Jesus CHOSE to go to that cross for us. He CHOSE to be nailed to that cross for everything we have done and will do. God CHOSE His Son to die the most excruciating death because He loves us that much.
So we must choose Him. Every single day. Even on the days when we are hurting. Even on the days that we cant see how we are going to make it through. Even on the days when we just want to give up. We must choose Him. Want to know why? Because He chose YOU. He said…I choose you, I love you, I forgive you, I have redeemed you, and you are My child.
I choose Him. I choose to be forgiven. I choose to be redeemed. I choose to live loved by the God of this universe who never fails me. I choose to let myself be wrapped in my Savior’s arms. I choose God.
Why?
Because He has chosen me.
And He chooses you too. No matter what you have been through. No matter what you are facing. No matter how badly you hurt. No matter who has hurt you.
HE CHOOSES YOU.
With all my love,
Jordan Rains
