- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,078
Choices
- July 15, 2005
Every once in a while I just have to have something cold, creamy and caloricly corrupt from the local drive-through. The choice is never difficult. It's got to be chocolate. But I was there with my 12-year-old yesterday, and he must've spent ten minutes deciding on a flavor. "Chocolate. No, vanilla. No wait, make it strawberry. Hold on, I think I want... " It was making me crazy!
I guess I should understand the choice dilemma. There are times when I'm a little overwhelmed with making the right choice, too. The last time I was stuck in one of those automated phone "conversations", I wasn't quite sure what to do with all the choices. "Press 1 to leave a message. Press 2 to confirm your message." I honestly didn't even want to listen to choices 3 through 9. I was so flustered that when I finally left a message, I sounded like a total maniac. Why didn't they have a choice that said, "Press 12 if you've just made a complete idiot of yourself?" Or how about "Press 347,462 to just forget the whole stinking thing and go pick up some ice cream."
When it comes to the issues of life that don't include chocolate (I still say the flavor choice is a no-brainer), I want to make the wisest choices. Wise choices are godly choices. My heart's prayer is a lot like what Paul prayed for the Ephesians in chapter 1, verses 17-19, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength." (NIV)
According to the passage, being wise and knowing our God better go together. And the more we know Him, the more hope we have and the more we understand those things that are ours in Christ. What power!
We can know Him better by being even more faithful to feed on his Word than we are to **** down a chocolate shake. There is such wisdom and treasure in His Word. Proverbs 8:10-11 says, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with her." (NIV)
I'm also thrilled to be able to tell you that you can pick up God's Word- choose His instruction- any time. There are no numbers to press!
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.
- July 15, 2005
Every once in a while I just have to have something cold, creamy and caloricly corrupt from the local drive-through. The choice is never difficult. It's got to be chocolate. But I was there with my 12-year-old yesterday, and he must've spent ten minutes deciding on a flavor. "Chocolate. No, vanilla. No wait, make it strawberry. Hold on, I think I want... " It was making me crazy!
I guess I should understand the choice dilemma. There are times when I'm a little overwhelmed with making the right choice, too. The last time I was stuck in one of those automated phone "conversations", I wasn't quite sure what to do with all the choices. "Press 1 to leave a message. Press 2 to confirm your message." I honestly didn't even want to listen to choices 3 through 9. I was so flustered that when I finally left a message, I sounded like a total maniac. Why didn't they have a choice that said, "Press 12 if you've just made a complete idiot of yourself?" Or how about "Press 347,462 to just forget the whole stinking thing and go pick up some ice cream."
When it comes to the issues of life that don't include chocolate (I still say the flavor choice is a no-brainer), I want to make the wisest choices. Wise choices are godly choices. My heart's prayer is a lot like what Paul prayed for the Ephesians in chapter 1, verses 17-19, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength." (NIV)
According to the passage, being wise and knowing our God better go together. And the more we know Him, the more hope we have and the more we understand those things that are ours in Christ. What power!
We can know Him better by being even more faithful to feed on his Word than we are to **** down a chocolate shake. There is such wisdom and treasure in His Word. Proverbs 8:10-11 says, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with her." (NIV)
I'm also thrilled to be able to tell you that you can pick up God's Word- choose His instruction- any time. There are no numbers to press!
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.
