Choices: Responsible Decisions for a Godly Life

Step 2: Choices – Consequences
The second step in developing a plan for life based on Proverbs is to understand and operate our lives with the realization that it’s the choices that we make that determine what our life will become. Choices are the steps of life that take us to our ultimate destination. In our lives, there is neither luck nor chance, only the consequences of our choices. Proverbs warns us to be thoughtful about our choices in life and to use wisdom and understanding based on Godly principles to guide us. The cumulative choices of our lives will make us who we are.
The next step is to choose a partnership with God. However, before talking about that partnership let me make a couple of points concerning conflicts and boundaries. Too many times the different aspects of the Real world will present conflicts within our lives. If we were one or two-dimensional creatures that would make it much easier, but such isn’t the case. We are multi-dimensional creatures with many of these different dimensions in opposition. Therefore we are always in constant struggle within ourselves concerning what choices we should make. We are creatures of conflict and struggle.
We struggle over choices concerning our job, spouse, children, finances, education, retirement, health, exercise and the list goes on. The biggest conflict of all is the one between good and evil; between what God wants us to do and what Satan wants us to do. These are choices between our spiritual dimension and the evil influence that is always present.
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. Galatians 5:17
So, here we find ourselves, creatures of choice; but choice that is in constant conflict and struggle for our future. Our successes or our failures all hang on the thin cord of our choices. It’s a daunting undertaking but it’s nevertheless our reality. It only ups the ante for thoughtful choices in our lives.
We have all heard the old saying “It isn’t over until it’s over!” That is so very true in the human condition. We are placed in the dilemma of constantly having to choose the direction of our life with the tension and conflict of our choices. Thus knowing that the consequences of these choices will be with us forever. We can’t call a timeout or push the pause button, our choices and their conflicts continue moment by moment until the day we die.
Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death. Deuteronomy 30:15
…Choose today whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b