Choice Moments

I have figured out more and more lately, life is full of these “choice” moments.  You know, those moments in life where you need to make a decision that can either effect your day, or possibly the rest of your life. Like the time I chose to leave my amazing job at Calvary to go serve in southern China. That choice moment allowed me to meet the man of my dreams, earn a masters for free and start my business, Wang Li Designs. I often think of back at that moment in time when I said “yes Lord, send me” and how different my life would look now if I would have ignored that call.  Yet when it comes down to it, it was my choice.

 

Choice is a strange phenomenon. Some people are under the impression that life deals us our cards, but the more I am on the mission field and meet people living in rural communities with no showers, clean water and minimal safety, I see that their glowing attitudes are a choice.  I see the ability to shine a choice, the ability to love a choice, the ability to pursue God, a choice. The Lord has given me everything I need in life-and my attitude to face every situation, dear friends, is my choice.

 

A few days ago we finished our ministry in Back Door.  Our last moment with those beautiful people was spent worshiping on Sunday morning… they even had us dance before them since we enjoyed watching them so much (not sure if they regret that decision after seeing us move! ha) During that time, I chose to be fully enveloped by the spirit which was present; dancing, singing, praying and enjoying the moment. It was one of my fondest church memories up to this point in my life and it made me realize that the attitudes and feelings we receive at church are also our choice.  It has little to do with the quality of worship or the amazing sermon but about willfully submitting our lives to the Lord, allowing His spirit to fill us so we can spread His presence to others. 

 

I find myself in a new “choice” position right now on my team. Dave and I took dual responsibility as the team leaders of Luminous since Vietnam. We have had to choose to be intentional with our team, choose to be intentional with each other and most importantly, choose to be intentional with God.

 

So much of life can pass us by if we don’t make those choice moments happen. Dave and I chose to get away for a little R&R these past few days to celebrate our upcoming two year anniversary and I have to say, it was a GREAT choice moment. I found myself amazed by God’s creation, once again, as wild animals roamed the private game reserve. In fact, on the way back from dinner, we almost ran into a rhino and its baby on our path. It was one of those unbelievable moments I will never forget, much like this year as a World Racer.

 

We meet so many people who ask us what exactly we are doing here in South Africa and although I have had many different responses to this seemingly simple question, my one response that has yet to be shared is “to spend a year of my life choosing to live every moment for my Lord.” May I learn, this year, what it means to choose moments in life: whether serving the poor, feeding the hungry, praying for the sick, riding on a safari, camping in the freezing cold or staying at a five star lodge.  Moments that testify what it means to daily choose Him all the time and enjoy them all!!