The Choices of Our Lives

One Year Bible
New Testament Passage (for Tues., November 13, 2012): Hebrews 11:17-31

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.  Hebrews 11:24-25 (NKJV)

Our lives are a succession of choices.  Moments come our way in which we make decisions that can last a lifetime.  They become our defining moments.  These decisions may seem so small at the time, but they add up to a lifelong pattern -- a way that we have lived our lives.  We think they are insignificant at the time, but they lead us either to a path of blessing or a path of penalty.

In the great movie Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) finally finds Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham (played by Burt Lancaster) and they talk about missed opportunities and lost dreams.  Dr. Graham, now in his 70's, tells young Ray Kinsella, "We just don't recognize life's most significant moments while they're happening. Back then I thought, "Well, there'll be other days". I didn't realize that that was the only day."

For so many people this is the story of our lives.  We don't recognize the significance of the "little decisions" we make each day.  Moses reached a point in life that he realized that he had to decide.  "What kind of person will I be?"  He could have taken the easy road and lived a life of sensual and societal pleasure.  But, he knew that he had a different destiny.  He was cut from a different cloth.

It takes faith and courage to take the right road.  It takes a solid belief in God in heaven and His truth on earth.  It has been said that "the path of least resistance makes men and rivers crooked."  God will meet us to help us, to bless us, to empower us, but we must make the right choices.  He will meet you in the path of faith and obedience.

One last word: someone might say that since they have made so many bad choices, there is no hope.  They have blown it so badly that there is no way out of the mess -- no way to regain lost dreams.  But, I would remind you that God is a REDEEMER.  If we will but give Him a chance, He will pick up our broken pieces and remold a new life -- a new beginning.  Begin today to choose life -- to choose the best -- to choose God's way.  And then be prepared for Him to show you a life beyond your wildest dreams.