But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been in the pickle of a moment. It’s that all too familiar place when the flutter of the wings from the angel on your right shoulder are weighed against the pricks from the horns of that guy on the left, which oddly feels good! Some call it that battle in the mind between right and wrong, good and evil — a conscience, conviction, confrontation — a decision. And then we lean — go ahead, pick a side — because we do lean to the voice we most recognize. The sheep always follow the voice of their shepherd.
I’ve always been one to speak against the “Land of Should’ve”. We all say it at one time or another, even myself. “I should’ve done this” or “I shouldn’t have done that.” As though by saying these words to ourselves or even out loud declares the “right-er” path — the good path — a better decision. It somehow releases the guilt and unloads the current circumstances of it’s meaning and gives more justice to the choice left behind. It’s to say our future is determined by our choices. But is it? Really?
There is no doubt in my mind that my choices today may in fact dictate my future. We can all dig up examples in our own stories where the choices we have made have altered the future outcome of things. But let’s not forget Sampson! God was with him, ordained from the beginning to save Israel. Yet, his choices as they should have altered the outcome were no challenge in the Mighty scheme of things. God’s purpose was still delivered through him — regardless of his choices along the way.
It’s not so much that our future is linked with making the right choices along the path of our journey, it’s more so directly linked with the right Lord we serve. When we see this first, before our decisions, it serves as a compass in all things. That’s when we get it right!
Lord Jesus, today I pray that in all things I choose you first. But it’s not easy! I read your word and it has so much to say about your love, and I am learning to trust you more, not just with my junk, but with my hopes and fears, my dreams and drama, my heart and my hurt. You have my attention, may it be undivided. I choose you today Lord, but I know you chose me first!
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other! John 15:16-17