CHOOSEY
December 12, 2018
Prayer: We pray for our students today, Lord. Please bring circumstances so each one comes to see clearly their choice for heaven or hell. Thank You. Amen.
Scripture: But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 NIV
“Character development” has become a politically correct and socially acceptable way to discuss and teach what we know as Christian morals and values. One of the more popular strategies of a character development curriculum is the concept and practice of making good choices. We have used this concept cloaked in several forms for “classroom management,” “positive discipline” and the many other approaches used over the years in an effort to generate respectful, capable, and moral citizens.
In this verse we find this popular concept coming way back in Old Testament Scripture. Part of what I have always appreciated most about this verse is “choose for yourselves this day.” First, we have to make a choice. We are constantly making choices from the second we wake up (to snooze or not to snooze), until we fall asleep at night. We are constantly trying to make the right or best choice. It seems to me that Joshua made the best choice here, but please note that it was his choice. God does not force Himself on anyone. He loves and waits.
Secondly, we make the choice each day. We choose to trust or not, praise or not, love or not, obey or not: it is a daily choice to seek and follow God. I am thankful that through salvation, God chooses me even when I don’t make the right choices.
Think of some of the choices you are faced with each day or week. Why are some harder than others? What determines your choice? How do your choices affect others such as family, friends and your students? How can you carry out the attribute of being choosey in your daily environment (classroom, hallways, meetings, cafeteria, office, etc.)?
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]