I have talked a lot about CHOICE. I thought that love, joy, change, freedom, sacrifice were all choices I had to make. This was one of the biggest lessons I was learning on the World Race. Then I had a conversation with a friend that changed everything and made me feel I had learned nothing.
There is only one choice we make in life, each day, he told me. We choose to either serve and worship God or to serve and worship ourselves. That’s it.
When we choose God, He puts His mind and heart inside of us. God does not choose love, He is love. God is the source of joy, the catalyst for change, the bringer of freedom, the author of sacrifice. When we choose God above ourselves moment by moment, these things naturally follow. This was aggravating at first, but it was also relieving.
Sometimes I feel crippled by choices and fear picking the “wrong” thing. Sometimes being told or even challenging myself to “choose joy” or “choose love” does not immediately change the condition of my heart or my actions.
But when I run to God and ask for more of Him, He will give me these things. When I stop trying to rely on my own strength, He will take over and carry me.
In Laos, there is heavy belief in animism (spirit worship). Spirit houses are placed outside of most homes. People believe that bad spirits will inhabit the spirit house, thus protecting their home from attack by these spirits. They live in constant fear of bringing bad luck upon themselves by angering the spirits.
