No one likes to be told what to do. We all like the feeling of being free to do whatever we want, whenever we want. We can even have the impulse to push back when someone tells us to do things, or not to do things that can make us feel like we’re being restricted. Many people see living life as a Christian that way. They see the Bible as a list of things they can or cannot do so that God can control our lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible clearly tells us that God wants us to choose to love and serve Him. We have a choice. Why does God want us to choose His way? Living God’s way is the way to have a life that is blessed.
“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…”
– Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)
From the very beginning, God’s plan for mankind was to provide them with everything they could ever need or want. It was man’s choice to go outside of that provision that brought us lack, sickness, pain, and death. God loves us so much, that regardless of man’s choices, He made a way for us to return to His original plan for us. He loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son to pay the price for man’s sin. God wants to take care of us, not control us. But the choice is ours as to whether or not we are willing to become His child and be under His care.
“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…”
– John 1:12 (NIV)
Have you made the choice to become God’s child? It’s a choice only you can make. If you have never made that choice, you can make it right now. You can say, “Lord, I receive you into my life. I believe in you. I choose to live Your way. I want to become your child.”
If you have prayed that for the first time, you have become God’s child! Let someone on the Youth Staff know so we can pray with you and encourage you.
Be salt and light,
Miss Dawn
