Thoughtful Thursday: Pepsi or Coke?

On Sunday mornings I've been teaching the Jr. High class. Nobody else wanted to teach it. I can't imagine why; it's just a whole room of 6th to 8th graders. Actually, this is my favorite age to teach, and I love my kiddos.

Anyway, we've been talking about choices for the past few weeks, and I just wanted to share some things I've learned (everyone knows if you want to learn something, than teach it!).

First, you always have a choice. There are no "have to" situations in life, except death. Many times we feel like we don't have a choice in things. One of Chipette's favorite phrases is that Magpie made her mad, therefore she retaliated. I always tell her that no one can make you anything (mad, happy, loving, etc.). It is a choice. Sometimes circumstances may make a certain feeling easier to choose than others, but that doesn't mean it is the correct choice. This leads to the second thing I've learned.

Second, the harder choice is always the godly choice. Satan loves to give us the easy out. God, however, wants us to rise above the ease and be better people. He expects more out of us because He loves us. There is a reason that sin is so common where as living a Christian life is a standard that is found few and far between. Sin is easy! Making choices based on God's standard is difficult! People are like water; we want to follow the path of least resistance.

Finally, every choice moves us closer to God farther from Him. The Bible tells us that you can't serve two masters. When you make the easy/sinful choices, then you are choosing Satan over God. When you make the hard/godly choices, then you are choosing God over Satan.

Just some examples,

• Lie on your income tax or tell the truth (knowing it will put you in a higher tax bracket)?
• Eat that extra piece of pie or be content with one (knowing you are not hungry)?
• Abort the baby or keep the baby (knowing that having a baby right now is not good timing)?
• Get a divorce because you are not happy or stay married (knowing that you will have to work at it)?
• Tell someone about Jesus or keep quiet so you don't lose a friend (knowing that God said to go unto all the world)?
• Get help for your addiction or do it on your own (knowing that you have never been able to do it on your own before)?
• Get up early so you can exercise to keep your body healthy or sleep late (knowing that you need to lose a few pounds)?

In all of these situations there is an easy way out, but that easy way is not God's way. Choices are a powerful thing, so make sure that your choices are making you a spiritual powerhouse!

I am planning on spending one day before next Thursday focusing on making godly choices, going one whole day choosing God's way every time. Next Thursday I will blog about what happens. I want to encourage all of you to see what would happen if we choose God in all of our choices (even the little ones) for one day.

Becoming more aware of my decision-making in the treehouse,

Chelli