“…I have set before you life and death…; therefore choose life…” Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV
Each day is full of choices. From small decisions to big ones that have a ripple effect on others, we’re shaping realities daily. Our choices can be influenced by what may be happening around us, but we can control what we do, say, see, touch, or think. Knowing this, what kind of choices do you intentionally make?
I’ve had days where certain events would make me angry and days where the same events have almost no effect on me. I would give a different reaction and wonder to myself what happened. There are times when I decide to go to bed early but then fill up the time with unnecessary activities only to end up sleeping late again. The truth is that nothing was beyond my control.
Every second, we choose between life and death. Life-giving choices are decisions that add to the quality of your life and those around you. This could be choosing to laugh instead of getting angry, giving a compliment instead of bashing another, learning instead of being idle, thinking positively instead of staying depressed or doing good work instead of settling for less.
On the other side, death-inducing choices are decisions that take life from us. They include choosing revenge over forgiveness, planning to hurt instead of help, destroying a good relationship instead of restoring it, killing your body instead of preserving it, wallowing in sadness instead of feeling hopeful or being mediocre instead of excellent.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. The choices you make are either making things better or making them worse. Because of the myopic nature of man, we make quick decisions that seem good now, but the result isn’t life-giving. We got the instant gratification we wanted but caused more damage later. An example is eating what you shouldn’t eat or making a comment that makes you feel good but harms another.
Is it possible to always make life-giving choices only? I don’t know, but we can be more intentional about our decisions. Being intentional isn’t easy either because it goes beyond making a conscious decision. Your mind, body and soul must be in harmony. But it’s a good first step in the right direction.
Choose life, so that you and everyone you meet may live.
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