Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today – I choose.
Matthew 4:3-4,6-7,9-10 NLT
[3] During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” [6] and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” [7] Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.'” [9] “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” [10] “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'”
Observation
Here is a picture of life. Here we see the two voices of life contending for Jesus’ decision and direction for his life. These two voices contend for my life. One says “prove yourself, and I will give you.” The other is the way of God and invites me into life based on Kingdom wisdom. The angels on each of my shoulders is a depiction of this conversation that we all know so well. It is only when you listen, when you take your thought captive and inspect its voice of origin, do you get to choose how life plays out. Too often I am quick to follow before I inspect, and often times I find I have followed blindly the path that does not lead to full life. I eat the bread because I am hungry, rather than inspect where the bread leads. I jump before I think. My pride runs for the spotlight before accessing the cost.
We all live with freedom to choose, but so often we do not exercise our freedom to choose. We follow and then live the consequences. We often blame others for our life, for we do not want the responsibility of freedom. But neither voice has or takes control of my decision. God never manipulates and controls my decisions, for love never takes control, it always allows for choice. The enemy of God would like to control but does not have the authority over me to take this control. The freedom love has given me is the freedom to choose, even when that means that I reject love. But even in my rejection love never leaves, it stays and invites a new decision. Love never loses its posture of love. It does not love because I choose to follow. Love loves regardless of how I exercise my freedom. Love never closes the door on its offer on life, regardless of how much I have chosen, or fallen for the deception, to walk in the opposite direction.
Application
Be aware and be responsible. There are always choices and I’m always empowered and free to choose. Life is a responsible activity. I may not have control of the randomness of the circumstances that ride into my life, but I always have the choice of response to their often times uninvited stories, so I will exercise my freedom to choose. I will live in love even when I don’t walk loves path. Even when I freely choose to walk the path opposed to loves directing, I will never stop living in the presence of love.
Response
Thank you for freedom. Thank you for uncaused love that never leaves. Thank you for the responsibility and freedom of choose. Thank you that you are always present to invite my exercising of freedom into the life of your fullness. Teach me to be present to your presence, for presence is salvation life.
Meditation
Meditation truth – you can choose – always.
Consider:
How often do I take the responsibility of awareness and choice in the decisions that direct my life?
Do I know this scene as an illustration of life? Do I live in the framing of this story?
JOURNEY DEEPER
