The Decision

"Choices are long lasting and life changing." – as quoted by Pastor Clendon Terry of Promise Land Church Ministries

So anyone who knows a bit about basketball might recall that just a year ago sometime in 2010, basketball superstar Lebron James publically announced to the world that he would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to pursue his career with the Miami Heat. And in case you just don’t like basketball or live under a rock, you probably watched or at least heard somewhere that the Miami Heat fell defeated at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks who were declared the championship winners of the 2011 NBA Finals.

Anyhow, Mr. James’ decision was no doubt probably one of the biggest decisions that he would have to make in his career and possibly in his life. His decision came after considering the options that were before him, the benefits and potential rewards, in addition to his own will, personal desires and future goals. Whether people agree or disagree with him, that decision was his and his alone to make. And even today, that decision may still prove to be the best one down the road… only time will tell. In life, there are decisions that we are going to have to make and no one else is going to be able to make them for us.

Fast forward to the year 2011, Memorial Day weekend, after being harassed and literally hounded by my brothers AND my son, I too had a decision to make. For days, my son would ask “which team are you gonna be rooting for mom?” adding “make sure you choose wisely” [says the young Miami Heat supporter.] LOL So what I did was tell them all that on Monday, May 31, 2011, I would make “the decision” and let them know which team I wanted to win the championship - since my number one pick had already been sent home earlier in the season (insert unhappy face right here.) So prior to “the decision” I had a lot to consider. Did I want to be isolated from my family by going against the grain? Or should I pick the team selected by the majority so I wouldn’t feel left out? Did I pick the team that I felt actually had a chance to win this thing? So many questions came to mind before I made my decision but one thing remained… it was my decision to make. I would reap the consequences and/or the benefits of my choice.

Today I think about all of these decisions not merely in the context of a basketball game but in general. Some of our life decisions include, who we’re going to marry, where we’ll live, what school we’ll attend or which career path we’ll choose. All of these in some aspect are major decisions that no doubt require some thought and prayer.

Some time ago, I made the biggest decision of my entire life, and that was to follow Christ. I had a lot of choices before me and I could have gone in a different direction but today, my choice has proven time and time again to be the right one. Even though God has given me free will to make my own decisions and even be a free thinker, by allowing Him to guide me, I find myself making less and less decisions that result in disappointment and regret. Choosing a life in Christ has been the best decision I have ever made and as a result I’m receiving the benefits that he loads me with daily (Psalm 68:19). He is my protector, my provider, my strong-tower, my present help in time of trouble. By choosing to give Him my life, I’ve gained a new life in Him. I’ve opened up myself to receive the many blessings that go along with obeying His word and walking in His will. As you make your own life decisions today I urge you to consider this:

God says in His word that “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19 – NLT)

When it’s time to make major decisions in your life, allow God to order your steps. There is a blessed assurance when your decisions are aligned with God’s word and will. I pray that you all choose life today!

Joy & Blessings!

(By the way, in case you’re wondering… I did just so happen to pick the 2011 championship winner, to the dismay of my son and his uncles! LOL Congrats Dallas Mavericks!)