Pro Choice

I love menu's.

At the drive through ice cream place that we go to every time my daughter is home from college, I am amazed at how many items are squeezed on that open air menu. There is no way that you can read all the choices of flavors, combo's, sundaes, malts, milkshakes and 'concretes' that you can order. The best way to start a parking lot brawl is to take your time reading the menu and then praying through your selection to see if God wills vanilla or chocolate for you. It is possible to go home with a Banana Split, a chipped tooth, broken nose and black eye if you take your time making a choice that keeps others waiting!

That is why we go with at least four folk in the car. You can take more time choosing, and just in case a rumble breaks out, your posse might be bigger than theirs when the swinging starts!

My lady and I stood in line this morning at 5:30 waiting to cast our ballot on Election Day 2008. We were at the front of the line, (it stretched quite a long way out that schoolhouse door) and as is our custom, we were making friends and interacting with each step toward the ballot box. Millions upon millions will line up somewhere in the United States to do the same...to make a choice...after all, like the news channel says, "You Decide, We Report". As I surmised the decisions of those that joined us in line, having thought and prayed through my own choices, I realized once again the impact of choice.

"Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." Exodus 32:26

Moses offered this invitation to those who had blundered while waiting for him to return with a word from God while on Mt. Sinai. They had chosen to mess around rather than to pray for their leader. They had opted to 'partay' and even combined their resources to craft an image of a bull that they called 'god' rather than anticipate the encouragement that Moses was about to offer...written by the very finger of God for their life and national blessing. In the very arena of God's presence, impacted by multiple miracles so obvious, they chose a statue. An option on the spiritual menu that they would regret.

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Another choice for the people as to how their nation could experience the favor and the blessing of the Almighty was posed. Straight up choice. Josh was to the point as to what the options were, and where his life and lot would be cast. A record of shame follows for those who did not choose so well or so wisely as this man and his family. The choice of the wilderness was forgotten by those now able to exercise their free will bent toward selfishness.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you." John 15:16

Jesus looked at the lot of these 12, and because He knew the hearts of all people, He could choose a big mouth, a political right winger, a couple of bruts, (they were known as the Sons of Thunder on the beaches of Capernaum), a skeptic, a confessed extortioner and a turncoat to be joined to His redemptive plan. All but one embraced His choice...the other wished he had.

Think for a moment of the implications of your choices to the relationship that you have or ignore with God, (that is a choice, too). If you were fully aware of the Lord standing at your side when you point and click, or when you use your remote for Pay Per View, would that make a difference to you? If you believed that He was listening when you and the spouse were getting heated about the family budget, would you choose your words more carefully? If Jesus hung out at the club, would you order another round or volunteer to be the DD instead? If you had the opportunity to experience His fullness, His presence, His blessing and favor, would you, or does Guitar Hero get more play time than He? If you are the 'product of your choices', what do you suppose the outcome will be in the final tally?

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it.
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above."

It's Election Day! YOU get to decide! All of us with have to live with the outcomes of national choice. Decide only after you have prayed, studied, and determined that your heart belongs to Him and all your choices do to. After all:

"Many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14

He invites many to experience His life. Its the kind and the quality of life and security for the life to come that politicians cannot pledge nor provide to you. Cast your first ballot with Him. There are more choices on the table today than you think there are! He is not an option on the menu of belief. He transcends the menu by far.