Choosing Life or Death

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

​Did you read that? Really? Let it soak into your brain a moment. Read it again.

My heart aches as I read this; I long to be one who chooses life. God speaks this rebuke, challenge, and promise through Moses. He warns the Israelites of a most certain destruction if their hearts turn away from God (vs. 18). He also promises blessings if they keep loving and obeying God. 

In Christ, we have life. Because of his death, we are forgiven and indwell with his Spirit. Life is planted in us. 

Then why does it seem we experience death and curses? Could it be that we are very much like the Israelites, circumcised and part of God’s people, yet ever prone to wander from the God who made us and the family who loves us? 

Too often Christianity is presented as a single choice. I made that choice to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior almost 29 years ago as a sophomore at Drake University. That was not the end of my choosing Christ. 

I chose Christ when I went on my first mission trip in 1992.
I chose Christ when I took a position leading worship in 1993.
I chose Christ when I moved to California for seminary in 1995.
I chose Christ with each major life transition…
but I’ve also had to choose Christ every day.

There certainly have been days of choosing my agenda. Looking at my to-do-list, diving in, and getting things done. Prayer and Bible study take a back seat to work and family. And according to our passage above, I chose death and curses. I didn’t die physically, but my soul suffered. It’s only in God’s grace through Jesus I am not destroyed. 

Oh Lord, forgive me for choosing death and curses. Have mercy on me for choosing work and family over you.

Help me put you in your rightful place as Lord of my life.
Help me make time for prayer and Bible study every day.
Help me build a solid foundation of biblical understanding.
Help me nurture Godly character in every area of my life.
Help me develop healthy connections with my family, friends, fellow believers, and neighbors.
Help me pursue Your purposeful calling on my life.
Help me choose life!

If you want to be more intentional about your choosing life, I urge you to join us this Fall for “Acts of God” as we address the challenge of pain. You can go much deeper this Fall by stepping onto our leadership path. It’s still under development, but talk with Pastor Kevin if you would like more information.