The Better Choice

We all know people who question every thing that they are told. Not in the sense of wanting to learn more or understand more thoroughly, but to try to prove they know as much or more than the teacher. They pose hypothetical questions, they go into nit-picking details.

These people have always been around. They were present when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. If it weren't for them, I'm halfway convinced, the Books of the Law could well have been the Paragraph of the Law.

Matthew 22
v.37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
v.38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
v.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
v.40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

But because of the hardness of our hearts, these two simple directives had to be expanded and every situation described and all possibilities covered. When we live in our thoughts, our carnal mind, we will ask, "Who is my neighbor?" in order to justify ourselves and our preferences.

However, when we allow our hearts to be drawn by the Spirit and soften under the touch of the love of God, we don't need to memorize long lists of do's and don'ts. We seek to please the One we revere, and Whose presence in our lives becomes something we long for and hunger after. We no longer look for the boundaries and try to find out how close to the edge we can come. Instead we press in to the center, to the heart of God, to receive more of His gentle care and warm embrace. We seek a permanent and ever-deepening relationship with the Lord our God.

Deuteronomy 26
v.16 The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.
v.17 You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him.

As He sees the growing desire in our hearts to know Him, to learn of Him, to obey Him, He works in our lives to shape us so we can more closely follow Him and fit into His kingdom, valued, treasured, loved, and honored.

Deuteronomy 26
v.18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.
v.19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

That shaping can cause us to draw back at times, uncertain of what is happening. If we think that the Christian life is all light and love, we can be surprised when swords and pruning hooks show up. It hurts when a lot of that leafy growth we were so proud of gets pruned away, until we realize that God is honored more by fruit than by leaves. We learn through faith that He works and moves in our lives in love, regardless what it feels like to us. When we ask for a deeper walk, He honors that request, and all that goes along with it.

Luke 11
v.11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
v.12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
v.13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Let the Spirit of God give you eyes to see His love in your life, and a heart to feel His love at work, to discern the care and concern He feels for us as He removes what is of this world and grows that which is of His kingdom. Let Him give you a desire for that which is eternal and direct you to that which is better.

Luke 10
v.41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
v.42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Lord, thank You for Your covenant relationship, the marriage vows that we read in Your Word in Deuteronomy, laying out our obligations and responsibilities in our relationship to You, and detailing the promises and relationship You will have toward us. Thank You for the indescribable marvel of Your Spirit coming into our lives, not just for a visit, but to dwell and remain and abide within us, so we can hear You speak to us and we can be in communion with You at any time, any where. Thank You for showing us Your goodness and directing us to walk in Your love. This day is a gift, and we treasure the newness it will bring to our relationship with You.

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