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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Choices

A longing for more care and concern, a longing for more love, a longing for acceptance, a longing for stronger relationships, a longing for understanding, a longing for more support, a longing for better days... Who doesn't long for more of the good stuff, and less of the obstacles that always seem to collide head-on with you just when things are looking brighter? Financial meltdown just when your business is picking up, a cheating boyfriend just when marriage plans are on the go, misunderstandings that often destroy friendships just when you thought you had finally found someone whom you can talk to... The frailty of human relationships, the uncertainty of world's economy; no one knows what lies ahead of them.

I have my struggles too. My relationship with God took a downturn when I decided to trust in my own ways rather than God's even though I know in my heart that God's way is indeed the only way. It's like telling God, "Hey God, I don't want to trust you anymore. Not that my way is right and yours is wrong, but I just don't want to trust in you anymore. Period." Ironic? Of course. But this is exactly what is happening to many christians.

Instead of seeking God first when we are faced with a problem, we seek the world, including ourselves, for the answer. Through the process, we begin to backslide, lose sight of God, stop going church for a few sundays, which slowly becomes months and even years. For some of us, we turn back to God when our spirit take a beating, when we realised (not that we don't know) that God is indeed the only way. Yet for others, they become detached from God totally - Christianity becomes just another religion for people to feel good.

There is one thing that all of us must be clear of, that is, the devil is constantly fighting against God for our souls. Know that God's will is that none should perish, but God cannot do anything if we ourselves do not decide which side of the fence we are on. Yes, God loves us no matter which side of the fence we are on, but if you do not choose to be on God's side, you won't be able experience what God wants you to experience - love, joy, peace, blessings...

Having said so much, It all boils down to this - It's all about our choices.

Without choices, there will be no love, nor will there be friendships and relationships. We make a choice to love or to hate, to give or not to give, to be friends or remain as it is. We make a choice to build or break a relationship, to be faithful or otherwise.

Jesus too, had many choices. He could have chose to send the heavenly army down to destroy those who longed for His death at the cross. Yet, Jesus chose to go up to the cross, remain there until His death, all for the sake of you and me so that today, when you remember the decision Jesus made for you two thousand and nine years ago, you will be able to make the decision to trust God once again. All you ever need to do is to tell God that you need Him in your life. You don't have to work for it, nor do you have to pay for it. Just ask and God will hear.

Oh, and when you make this decision, the many longings that you have hoped for earlier seemed to have pale in comparison to the tremendous blessings God has for you!