“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” – William Jennings Bryan
We are becoming the person we are and the person we will be by the choices we make every day. How we choose — and what we choose — will shape our lives and futures and impact the lives and future of those closest to us. It’s hard to overestimate the importance and power of choices. As someone once said, “We make our choices and then they make us.”
The Book of Joshua is a book about choices. Over the next few weeks I want us to look at 8 CRITICAL CHOICES that will shape our lives and future and impact those around us. Joshua admonishes us to choose wisely and carefully. As we do, we will CONQUER overwhelming odds and take important risks/steps of faith that will lead us to reach new heights in our lives, circumstances, relationships, and our walk with God.
There are three critical questions about choices I’d like you to ask yourself today. As you do, be thinking about choices you can make, should make, and need to make right now.
QUESTION #1—What Season Am I In?
Joshua 1:2 says, “Moses my servant is dead.” “Now then, you…”. Joshua was in a new season. Moses had died and Joshua was now in charge. Everything had changed for Joshua and he was now in a different seat — a very different seat. As the leader of the children of Israel, he was now the one who had to make the tough calls. Life is a bit like that for us, isn’t it? We move through various seasons: some are tough seasons, others may be called busy seasons, while others still might be painful seasons. What season are you in? And what is the “next season” God is leading you into? Maybe you need to go back to school or find a better job, renew your faith or rededicate yourself to (re)building your marriage. Take a moment right now to stop, reflect, and then choose. What is God saying to you in this season? What changes — and choices — do you need to make?
QUESTION #2—What Choices Do I Need To Make Now?
In Joshua 24:15, Joshua tells the people, “Choose this day who you will serve…”. Choose this day — as in today. Not tomorrow; don’t put it off. That’s the message I’m pondering as I read this life verse. You see, good choices and bad choices are either building or eroding our lives. What choices do I need to make right now to strengthen my marriage, family, faith, job, education, health, communication habits, etc? Stop, reflect, and then choose. What is God saying to you about new habits that needs to be established in your life? What about old habits that need to be eliminated? It’s your choice. You choose. And, by the way, by not choosing you’re still choosing. God wants to grow us and strengthen us but we must choose to cooperate with His plan for our lives. What is God saying to you? What choices do you need to make now?
QUESTION #3—What Area(s) Of My Life Do I Need To Conquer In God’s Strength?
Joshua 1:9 says, “…Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” God is with us too! That is huge! Joshua had some big things to conquer in his life. Just think about it for a moment. Imagine:
- If Joshua would have given into fear and not carried out his assignment. | CH. 1
- If Rahab would have focused on her failure and not realized she could have a future. | CH. 2
- If Joshua and the Israelites did not trust the Lord and step into the Jordan. | CH. 3-4
- If the Joshua and the Israelites didn’t obey, walk around the city of Jericho, play their trumpets and shout a battle cry. | CH. 5-6
- If Achan would have chosen wisely and not disobeyed. | CH. 7
- If Joshua would have allowed discouragement to destroy him. | CH. 8
- If Joshua would have missed the opportunity God gave him. | CH. 10
- If Joshua would have allowed distraction to ruin his faith in God. | CH. 22-24
Choices were made — some right and some wrong — but each one critical. And as a result, overwhelming odds were overcome (or not), risks were taken (or not), and new heights were reached (or not). But it all started with choices. Take a moment right now and commit your life to God. Pray, “Lord, what choices do I need to make? What do I need to see conquered in my life so I can serve you more faithfully.” One of the great prayers to pray has to do with making God-honoring choices. Join me in praying that prayer today — and every day.