Your Choice
Thursday, August 3
Your Choice
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:19
Once, there was a breathtakingly beautiful angel known as the Bringer of Light (Lucifer). Like every celestial being in heaven, he served and worshiped God faithfully. However, a day arrived when curiosity took hold of Lucifer’s heart, and he began to ponder why God held sole authority in heaven. A dangerous thought took root, leading him to believe that he could do a better job than God. Lucifer shared his aspirations with his close companions, and they, as friends often do, supported his desires wholeheartedly. “Yes, you should be God. You would be great at it! You could give us the best places in heaven if you were in charge.” So, they made a plan and convinced a third of heaven’s angels to follow them in trying to push God off the top spot in heaven. As a believer you are familiar with this story, and it does not end well. Their rebellion had disastrous consequences.
As the Creator of all things, God’s power and greatness surpassed anything He had brought into existence. Their revolt resulted in their expulsion from heaven, transforming them into beings filled with ugliness, anger, violence, and hatred. Lucifer’s name was changed to Satan, the devil, and the separation from God’s divine light left him consumed by darkness within.
This cautionary tale reminds us of the perilous consequences that arise from challenging God’s authority and the importance of remaining humble before the Creator of all.
Writing this I think about Lucifer’s thoughts during that critical moment. How could he, knowing he was not God and nothing like God, entertain the idea of becoming the ruler of heaven? Yet, I realize that the same issue repeats itself, albeit on a much smaller scale, within me. I catch myself saying, “My will be done,” instead of surrendering to God’s will. In those moments, regardless of how big or how small I am mirroring Lucifer’s misguided desire to be in charge.
The truth is, each of us faces the same profound choice on this earthly journey: Who will we allow to govern our lives. Will it be God, or do we believe we should be the ones in control?
Our time on earth grants us the gift of free will, enabling us to choose between light and darkness, good and evil, God and self. Unfortunately, Lucifer made a wrong choice, but God, in His wisdom and love, grants us the opportunity to make our own decisions here on earth. The consequences of our choices may extend into eternity.
So, let us reflect on this crucial decision and determine who we desire as our King forever. Will it be God, the One who loves us unconditionally, or ourselves, with all our limitations and imperfections? The choice we make will shape the course of our lives, guiding us towards the source of true light and fulfillment.
Prayer for today: Father thank You for Your infinite patience with us, and for giving us so much time to grasp the choice You are giving us. Please help us all to choose You as our king. Amen