Choices

Philippians 4:8

"Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

This may be the most convicting, yet freeing verse for me.  I often find myself, as everyone does, faced with making choices.  Some mundane, like What should I eat for breakfast, what should my kids eat for breakfast, what should I wear, etc., etc.

But what about the choices that have a bit more weight?  Like, how I should be treating others?  Or, how should I be responding to my husband?  Or, how should I respond to my children?  What issues and events should I be giving time and energy?  What should I be watching on TV?  What should I be filling my mind with?

The one thing I have learned in my short time here on earth is that the choices I make that hurt me or others (husband, children, friends, etc,), often have common themes.  These themes include things that are NOT true, noble, right (in God's eyes), pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.  I often find that when I feel off kilter, I can trace back to a decision I made where I did not consult scripture.  I did not consult my guide and compass, Jesus.  

At times, I find myself really focusing on what 'I' want out of life.  I begin to focus on me and the offenses made against me.   I focus on people and the choices they are making that hurt me or my friends and family.  I focus on things that will entertain me.  I focus on things that are fleeting.  I focus on the right now.  

However, if we claim to know Jesus,  He calls me and you to a higher standard.  He calls us to focus on HIM; true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy HIM.  The choices that have that weight I spoke of have an impact that we need to take responsibility for.  The silent choices we make, like entertaining ourselves with things that would make us blush in the presence of Jesus, affect our marriages and examples to our children.  They affect our walk by pushing us further from HIM, and they send us down a path that does not move anyone towards Jesus.  It DOES matter what we choose!    

I have never read the Harry Potter series, but I recently came across a quote, posted on Facebook, by J.K Rowlings.  The quote reads, "It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."  Who we are in Christ dictates our choices.  If we are able to make questionable choices, questionable when put up against scripture, who is our guide?  Furthermore and perhaps more importantly, our choices show other people who we love.  I want people to know I love Jesus, but do my choices always show others this is true?  I have to question my love for my savior when I am able to make choices that point in a direction other than things represented by the words, "true and noble".  I have to discern my thoughts when I can choose entertainment that is not "right or pure".  I am forced to stop in my tracks and evaluate who is my guide when I am spewing from my mouth words that are far from "lovely and admirable", and I have to get on my knees in reverent worship to Him when I have strayed from that which is not "excellent or praiseworthy".

Allow your steps to be governed today, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 16:9).