“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.” Deuteronomy 30:19
It’s hard to tell WHO brought up the subject, but the turkey hadn’t even been cleaned off my plate before someone caused an offense about decorating the NEXT upcoming Holiday with a fake tree instead of a REAL one! Setting around a rectangular table of 8 people, EVERYONE had an opinion! Which means EVERYONE had ALREADY made an individual choice.
The interesting part about the tree subject is that it brought on such a rigid response. Overlooking the fare at the kitchen table, there was fried or baked turkey. Steamed or roasted vegetables. And the pie department displayed at least THREE kinds to choose from! What was lacking was any controversial discussion over which choice was better. But bring up the Christmas Tree and… the gloves are OFF!
I have to admit I held a STRONG opinion in the LIVE TREE category for DECADES. Mostly because of tradition… and my wife! But a couple years ago, she cracked and we switched… both of us living to tell the tale! Now we find ourselves slightly less opinionated and more educated on the subject!! But come Christmas morning… there WILL be a tree in the house!
It’s only the day after Thanksgiving and Katie has already planned her day. “I’m going to take down Thanksgiving and put up Christmas. What about YOU?” With her words I feel a sense of irresponsibility because… well… am I SUPPOSED to be done with Thanksgiving already?! Is Baby Jesus already starting to fuss for attention? And why so soon?
While we Deck our halls and don our gay apparel… it occurs to me that these Holidays shouldn’t be separated. Christmas and Thanksgiving are VERY much partners because God intended them to be. The choice isn’t about what type of celebration or kind of decorations we want, but literally… about life versus death!
The Bible verse today makes it clear… LONG before I was a gleam in my father’s eye, I was CHOSEN by my Heavenly Father. And His choice to choose me was NOT determined by ANYTHING I had to say about it. Although His preparations left me with a very serious choice… and with very serious consequences.
Choosing death over life would certainly be STUPID. But according to God’s Word… that choice is made by the vast majority of people. God HAS to respect it. But respecting it doesn’t mean He has to LIKE it.. OR take it on the chin. He works OVERTIME to win my heart every day. It’s a battle for life and death for me every day as well. And today… I choose LIFE!
What kind of life have YOU chosen?
