Choose Life

It seems that one of our greatest challenges is that we have choices.  Sometimes we make good choices and other times...well, not so much.  I've had these two words in my mind for several days now:

"...choose life..."

These two words are a beautiful summary of the resounding theme that God unfolds in His Word through the Bible:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  PSALM 34:8

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  DEUTERONOMY 30:19b-20  

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.  1 TIMOTHY 6:19

Jesus says: " I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  JOHN 10:10

Mission, Jesus style invites people into a fuller expression of life than that which is available apart from a relationship with the creator of the universe.  In fact, Jesus says, "apart from me you can do nothing."  

I can just imagine Jesus praying for mankind, cheerfully chanting,
"choose life, choose life, choose life!"

As Jesus is praying to the Father, he says: "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the one true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."  JOHN 17:3

Mission, Jesus style invites people into a relationship with the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Life that is truly life, is lived in the dynamic of this relationship.  

The Lord chooses life!  "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." EPHESIANS 1:4  Jesus came to bring life!  Of all the choices a person can make in life, this single choice to be In relationship with the Lord and to trust Him is of eternal significance.  

Mission, Jesus style points people to "choose life."  I'm continually challenged to communicate the goodness of the Lord in ways that help people do this and find delight in the Lord.