As I lie in bed... re-dedicating what is the most important I wish for J in his life? Is it life-long learning? No, good as it is should not be the number one priority.
Is it happiness? No, because seeking a child's happiness at the expense of all is detrimental in the end (there are many things in life you cannot arrange to suit your child so that he will be shielded from disappointments).
It is to choose life.
But the hardest part for me is to apply it in our daily life.
When we choose life, all other things fall into place - joy, happiness...
I need to rely on God to apply choosing life in my daily life. I need God's wisdom to discern how I can apply it in my daily life. God does so through His Word.
This morning, I went downstairs to do my quiet time and today's topic from The Daily Bread could not be more relevant.
Choosing life is God's will for our lives. I want to fulfill God's will for our life. I want to choose life. I want to choose life for myself, for J and for my family.
If I may be allowed to quote the whole passage from the Daily Bread today:
"What is God's will for my life? The question haunted me when I was growing up. What if I couldn't find it? What if I didn't recognise it? God's will seemed like a needle in a haystack. Hidden. Obscured by lookalikes. Outnumbered by counterfeits."
"But my view of God's will was wrong because my view of God was wrong. God takes no pleasure in seeing us lost, wandering, searching. He wants us to know His will. He makes it clear and He makes it simple. He doesn't even make it multiple-choice. He gives just two choices: "life and good" or "death and evil" (Deut. 30:15). In case the best choice isn't obvious, He even says which one to choose: "Choose life" (v. 9). To choose life is to choose God Himself and obey His word."
"When Moses addressed the Israelites for the last time, he pleaded with them to make the right choice by observing "all the words of this law... Because it is your life" (32:46-47). God's will for us is life. His Word is life. And Jesus is the Word. God may not give a prescription for every decision, but He gave us a perfect example to follow - Jesus."
"The right choice may not be easy, but when the Word is our guide and worship is our goal, God will grant us the wisdom to make life affirming choices."
The prayer from the Daily Bread expressed so sharply what I would like to pray to God:
"Lord Jesus, we know that true wisdom comes from leaning on You. Help us to trust in You and to seek Your face and Your will that we find in Your life giving Word."
We may not always feel God's guidance, but "the evidence of God's guidance can be seen more clearly by looking back than by looking forward."
"Choose life, that both you and your descendants may life; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice." - Deutoronomy 30:19-20
No doubt I will still stumble each day and make mistakes. But the grace of God is new everyday as we re-adjust our compass on a regular basis to point true north and choose life affirming choices.
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