In the blockbuster movie series, Back to the Future, we see many interesting things, but one important lesson even children easily notice is that decisions and actions based on those decisions can completely change long term outcomes in life!
Through the application of self-discipline (Galatians 5:23) decisions become actions which change the courses of our lives. Self-discipline is certainly a key ingredient in life’s recipe, but without good, proper decisions, self-discipline could actually be used to pursue an evil goal. So let us focus for a moment on the decision side of life’s equation.
Eighty-two times we see some form of “decide” or “decision” in the New America Standard Bible. Obviously, this is a major concept in a Christian’s walk with God. If we also consider forms of the word “choose” we see 233 occurrences of those words in the NASB! Decisions happen in the head, then choosingis usually logical and practical application of our decisions. Example: on a playground, kids decide who they want on their team, then they actively choose those persons.
It would be hard to over-estimate the number of decisions and choices every person makes daily. Food choices, purchase choices, reading choices, time and activity choices, word choices, TV choices, movie choices, etc. for virtually every thought we have and action we take.
One famous passage shows the importance of our choices: “…choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
The choice made “…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” had the outcome of great blessings and even national success for the nation. The challenge issued by Joshua can and should be applied today. We must make a decision in our heads, then make the practical choice which results in serving the Lord.
Like Back to the Future, we can and do change our futures when we make decisions and then choose courses of action. Be gravely careful that you do not make important life decisions based on comfort or pleasure. Be gravely careful that you do not make important life decisions sub-consciously but consciously, looking to your future, on earth and in eternity. Joy in this life and unspeakable joy in the next are inextricably linked to your decisions and choices today. You CAN and DO change your future with your choices today. Choose well.
~Via Ray Wallace
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