Journey to Living Light

THE LIGHT OF CHOICE

“…there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part…” Luke 10:42

“We choose what attitudes we have now, and it’s a continuing choice.” John C. Maxwell

The subject of choice is vitally important concerning every area of life, especially to our spiritual destiny. From the time we awaken until the time we go to sleep, life is just one choice after another. In many occurrences throughout the day, we are choosing and are not even aware of choosing.

George Fox, who wrote the famous Book of Martyrs, described vividly how he wanted to be patient and kind. “I knew Jesus and he was very precious to my soul; but I found something in me that would not keep sweet and patient and kind. I did what I could to keep it down, but it was there.” Fox tried to make good choices, but found himself always slipping back to an old pattern of behavior.

Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we may not always make the choices we know are right. However, we can always make the choice to ask for the help of the Holy Spirit. Eventually, the time will come when the Holy Spirit will be so much at work in us, and our wills will be so perfectly surrendered to His, that He will choose in us the right way to go as we work with Him—our wills and His will working together. Fox wrote to conclude: “Jesus came to my heart, and took out all that would not be sweet, all that would not be kind, all that would not be patient, and then he shut the door.”

From morning until night, as we become aware of the choices of our attitudes, slowly God will help us to allow Him to choose our paths. As the quote from John Maxwell above states, “…it’s a continuing choice.” You have no idea what potential lies within your soul when life ceases to be about poor choices. Choice is the wheel that steers the outcome of your life. The power of choice lies within your God-given soul. With the degree to which wise choices are made, the seed of divine love opens up from within to bring forth a beautiful blossom, a sweet-smelling blossom, which will attract others to you. People will notice this aroma and will begin to want what you have.

There will always be two seeds of choice: one that loves, or one that judges, criticizes, resents, or holds grudges. We do not arrive at this life of beauty by bulldozing our way to right choice, but rather by humility, patience, meekness, and surrender. Which way does your choice wish for you to go today, in large things and small things? Choose to seek the Spirit of the living God to guide your choices toward a life and light of divine love.

Pause to Ponder

Do you find yourself like George Fox, wishing to be sweet, loving, and patient, yet unable to continually choose the way of divine love? Do you long for the door of impatience, harshness, and self-will to be shut in your life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, how many times I have wanted to be patient and acted impatiently; wanted to be kind and have spoken harshly? How I long to have such an attitude of Your gentle Holy Spirit working in me so that, in these areas of my life, the door will be shut forever. I long to obey and serve You as You desire. Amen.