The Weekly Encourager – September 28, 2012 – It's Your Choice

I am Pro-Choice. Seriously. I'm not talking about abortion rights, but the right to make your own choices in life, no matter what your past may have been. Christians, if we keep using all the same excuses as our worldly friends do, we are not believing in Christ. Stop whining about whatever you did wrong in the past, or whatever someone did wrong to you. It's a new day. You are a new creation in Christ. Today.

My nephew Chris's wife Shawna posted this thought on facebook: “There is great empowerment in knowing that you have choices in life. Whatever decision you make will grant you an experience of your choosing, no one else’s. From this point on, you should no longer view yourself as a victim of someone else’s choices, mistreatment or neglect. Instead, view yourself as a person with options. Seek God for your destiny and make decisions that agree with that destiny.” - T.D. Jakes

It reminded me of another quote: “Let go of the belief that the past could have been any different.” - Gary Zukav

What?! But if only [insert your favorite regret here] my life would be so much better! No, I say. God is in control of ALL that happens. The Bible says NOTHING happens outside of His divine purpose, so that must include the abuse I suffered as a child, the serious mistake I made 10 years ago, and on and on. The Bible says my life would be so much better if I trusted in Christ! Ask, “Lord, what do You want me to learn from this suffering, and how should I live my life now?”

Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord....I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to his death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on...[O]ne thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:1,8,10-14

When Paul said he counted “all things” as loss, I believe that included his past. After all, if anyone deserved to have regrets, it was Paul, the persecutor and murderer of the church. He was a real genuine Class A Sinner. But does he dwell on that? No, he rejoices in prison!

Have you heard the news? Jesus Christ redeemed you, so rise up and walk! What happened yesterday may not have been your choice, but what happens today is. No more excuses. With praise and prayer and perseverance, press on. It's your choice.

God is faithful,