“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
A bunch of folks were coming to the church for lunch and I needed to make something that would feed them all. With helpful ideas from family and friends, I pulled together a list of ingredients. Coincidentally, the day’s mail contained several grocery store ads, so I did some pre-comparative shopping. I got a shock when I hit the last store and realized… I would have done better if I had I reversed the order!
Without knowing ALL the prices, I had decided to FIRST hit the Dollar Store for some basics. After all… EVERYTHING’S cheaper at the Dollar Store… right? Taco seasoning at the Dollar Store… $1. A local grocery store…$.29!!! HUH? One store I went to had Tortilla shells in the ‘2 for 1’ isle priced at $2.89. When I got to the register I was told, “That’s not until tomorrow!!!” HUH? I got em at the Dollar Store for… you got it! $1!
There used to be a TV commercial for a peanut butter brand that catered to kids. The slogan was, “Choosy mothers choose JIF!” Interestingly, it was geared toward KID TV time-slots. NOT adults! They discovered it was the KIDS who helped influence the mothers just what to be choosy about! Not the other way around. In my quest to save some money for groceries, I discovered that I had ACTUALLY wasted TIME!
There are times when it is advantageous to shop for MONEY saving deals. In other situations I have found that the more precious commodity is my TIME. Determining which choice to choose, or to be choosy at all, can become a HUGE difficulty. NO where is that more true then when choosing one’s God!
After the Exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel had spent 40 years wandering and wondering in the desert. It took about another 7 years to conquer the land of Canaan. Many choices had been made along the way… both bad a good! Now this last chapter is Joshua’s last warning to the picky Israelites. In affect he said, ‘now that we’re home… who is going to be YOUR God? As for me and MY family… WE will serve The LORD!’
Easter is season of choice, and since it is a Holy Day, many folks get Friday off. On Resurrection Sunday, one can choose to go to church or not… to worship the LORD… or make the day about colored eggs and candy bunnies! Realistically… the difficulty in life is the choice! AS Jesus said, it is absolutely possible that one can save both time AND money… and still be lost!
I love Jesus Christ! He is FAR more precious to me than eggs or candy, time or money! I choose Him! And because He has done such GREAT work in saving ME, MY house is going to worship HIM on Easter Sunday. Where will YOU be? It’s time to be choosy!!
