Life is all about making choices. Have you ever thought about how many times a day you make a choice and the impact of that choice on your life in the present as well as your future? Have you thought about how the choices you make not only impact your life, but also the lives of those in your sphere of influence? I’m not trying to overthink each choice, but it is good to be aware of the importance of each choice in shaping our lives and impacting the lives of others.

Even seemingly simple choices like, what should I eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, what should I wear today, how should I respond verbally to this situation, or any other seemingly simple choice have present and future impacts in our lives. For example, choosing what to eat, over time it can impact your health for good or bad; what you choose to wear portrays to others a bit about your character and how you value yourself. Dressing in a sexy and provocative manner will draw lustful eyes, whereas dressing more conservative but elegant will call for more respect and value of your body. The sexy and provocative is something that one can enjoy and reserve for one’s spouse!

In responding to others, do I choose to speak life and encouragement, building them up, or do I choose to speak criticism and negativity into their life. One response is life giving, the other response tears others down. I do believe there are times when constructive criticism spoken in love is necessary and essential to reveal blindspots in our lives. We all have blindspots and even as painful as it can be in the moment, I am grateful to have trusted individuals, that love me, bring to light those areas to which I have been blind. It is through these difficult to hear, but necessary times that the Lord can do a work in growing and refining me into better and more Christlike person. I remember one such time when a friend ask me if I thought of myself as a judgemental person and I said no. I said that I try to treat everyone with equal love and kindness. She revealed a blindspot of judgement I had because of my own insecurities of being different and believing people didn’t like me. You see, I would tend to stay secluded and not initiate interaction with people in social settings because of my insecurity of being rejected. So in essence, I had formed a judgement of how they perceived me without giving them a chance. Ouch!! That stung a bit, but I’m so glad she enlightened me to that blindspot and the lie I was believing, because without her doing so, I may never have seen it.

So, back to choices. What do you do with bad choices you’ve made in the past? They can’t be changed. I have made many bad choices during my life. I’ve found the best thing is to look back and see what I can learn from each bad choice, so I don’t make it again. Next, I try to be intentional about making the “next” best choice. Don’t let choices of the past keep you locked in shame and regret. Instead, seek forgiveness from God and trust He has forgiven you. Then, you will be free to move forward in the journey He has for you.

I find I can’t focus too much on the future. Though it is important to have goals and take steps to be purposeful in working towards them, ultimately I need to stay in the present and focus on making the “next” best choice each time a one is presented. By staying in the present, I can enjoy what the Lord has given me each day and I can better stay tuned to what He’s asking me to do in the current moment. By being obedient to following the guidance of the Lord, He can shape and guide me along His path for my life. I’m amazed at times I have reflected back on my life and choices He asked me to make that made no sense at the time, but in retrospect, I can see the beautiful and sometimes difficult journey He has taken me through to get me to where I am now!! I’m so grateful that He never gives up on me and when I do make bad choices. He is patient and loving as He steers me back on track, and He will do the same for you!! Seek Him and open your heart to allowing Him full access to your life. He will not disappoint you. It won’t always be easy, trust me, but it will be an amazing journey.

I have found He will often ask you to make a choice that makes no logical sense, but deep in your spirit, you will know it’s what He’s calling you to do, just like he did of Abram (later called Abraham) in Genesis 12:1. God told Abram to go forth to a land he would show him. What?! Pack up and leave without telling Abram where he was to go before he left?! That’s craziness–at least for the one that likes to know the plan a head of time!

The Lord is helping me each day to make the “next” best choice as it is presented and to trust the incredible journey He is taking me on in this adventure called life! Will you choose to be intentional about making the “next” best choice each day? It can be challenging, but also an amazing blessing.

Lord I pray you guide each person reading this, and myself, in making the “next” best choice as each choice is presented, from the smallest to the biggest, knowing and trusting Your plan; knowing that You love us and have good planned for our lives as we grow in a deeper, more intimate relationship with You!! Thank you in advance for answering this prayer! Amen