Yes, we were all in desperate need of salvation
Yes, God wanted us all saved for good. Yet, He didn’t
Pin us to a spot and ram salvation down our throats
Unlike fanatics and terrorists, He came gently
Reaching tenderly, touching soothingly, loving us
To the point of voluntary surrender: to willingly yield
Our all to Him who gave it all up for us, choosing to
Accept the pricey-yet free gift of redemption.
Despite our hot headedness and hard heartedness
God didn’t knock us down to save us: He let us choose
To accept Him. He let us learn to love like He loves us
He let us choose to live for Him who chose to die for us.
Food For Thought: It is very unfortunate that we live in times when awareness is so high, human right strongly publicized, yet like never before people are castigated and derided for taking a stand for what they believe in. People are being persecuted not because they have erred but because of their choices: like they have no right to choose; I choose for myself and for you: no, you can’t go your way, I think this way is better so you come with me or you don’t go at all. Written, it appears very ridiculous and callous, yet every day, this reality plays out in the media and all around us. Even for the prodigal son, the Father knew the boy had a choice he had the right to use: however he chooses to use it was up to the boy. The role of the Father is to provide guidance and support. If the Father denied the boy the right to go his way, the lad would never have found contentment at home. He will be a constant problem to everyone and will never appreciate the privileges of family. Sometimes, some of us have to go our way in order to appreciate the Way. Sometimes, some of us have to pay the price of the wrong way to learn to choose and to find contentment in the right way. If God who made and sustains all allows us our choices, why would men like you and me usurp their authority to toy with, deride, and deny the choices of another? Because we have lost sense of our placement on this planet – that we are all humans, and that we should respect one another. In this regard, we truly need help.
Scripture: I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. Deuteronomy 30: 19.
Prayer: Dear Lord, one of Your greatest gifts to mankind is the gift of choice, even knowing that we may wield it against Your will: help me to use my choices to serve and honor You all of my days with due regard for others, amen.