Sulking

“It is the ability to choose which makes us human.” - Author Unknown

Some huge part of what it means to be human is our ability to choose. Our depravity, woundedness, glory and our transformation are all seen in the choices we make.

Some part of me was sulking over the constancy of choice that fills my every day.

How many choices do we make in a single day? Is there no rest? A little break... a couple of passes... you know, like a "snow" day?

Good over evil, a serving of vegetables over the old-fashioned glazed donut, listening versus talking, saving instead of spending, stillness over distraction, choosing to love instead of dis-engaging, smiling, reading over the boob-tube, life over death, to worship God rather than euphoria, assume their good heart, serve, courage verses cowardice… (on and on it goes!)

Then I read a column by Dennis Prager in which he observed,

Every change for good must be constantly renewed, but changes for the worse are often permanent. Goodness must be fought for every day, over and over…

It caught my attention as being true.

I want change! I want to change! But often I want it to be easy… instant… entirely of God and requiring nothing of “Me” (note my hiding behind a pseudo-spirituality). 

Our lesser choices seem to have an enduring quality that our more noble choices lack. My choice to rage in hidden bitterness toward a cruel and former friend doesn’t seem to require the constant renewal, the regular reaffirmation that the choice to forgive, reconcile and love does. The choice to furiously follow God through the day requires a volitional strength and constancy that an extended spiritual malaise doesn’t.

Holiness and character displays itself in the thousand different choices I make each day. And there are times I am weary from the choices.

And then Paul speaks, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians  

I will not give up!

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." - Author Unknown
- Craig

Comments

[jill dyer]

Craig!!!!!!!!! Have you been viewing my life from some hidden camera? :-) Thank you. This was much needed and perfect. Bless you as you choose love, life, and good.

[Beverly]

I've given the "head wind" a name...Default! We default to all the easy negative blowing in our faces if we don't doggedly determine to head into all the harder and more precious choices that truly define the abundant life. Press on fellow-sojourner, your life's choices are blessing others!

[Robert]

Craig - you are so right. I have been battling something over the past couple of months that has been dogging me for many years. I find that I need to pray against it several times a day to experience freedom, staying aware of situations that could cause it to re-appear. Man, it's tiring but I need to stay on top of it to be free of it, "taking every thought captive." I wish I could just be on auto-pilot but I'm not able to if I want the freedom.

[norma gene]

The battle rages - it truly does. But there always is a table in the presence of my enemies. Always grace enough for this day...I will be looking for the 'tables' today. Craig, I will not give up either!!

[Moriah]

Good strong word. Thanks for carving the manna-roast!

[Craig McConnell]

I'm so smiling over each of your responses. Thank you and you're welcome! Enjoy the Manna-roast! :)