But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15, NIV)
What many people don’t seem to understand is that the God of the Bible is a God who offers choices. He gives us the opportunity to decide which path we will take. He clearly offers us His hand and access to His wisdom, but He never forces it onto us.
People who face chronic challenges sometimes become embittered over their circumstances. And I might add, with seemingly good reason. It can be almost unbearable to live with daily pain – to have your world turned on its ear – to live a life so far from “normal” that few people truly understand.
And yet, I have seen the brightest sunshine emitted from those who seem to be the least likely to even have reason to smile. Even when faced with the greatest challenges, God always gives us the choice as to how to respond.
We can run to Him. Or we can run away from Him. It’s up to us. It can sound absurd to think that joy can be found in the midst of pain – yet it seems that is where the fullest joy can be found.
“Pollyanna” you might scoff. “You don’t know what it’s like living this life.” And it is true. I do not. I do not understand your circumstances. But I do know the pain of my own.
“If your God is so great, why doesn’t He just heal you?” I don’t know the answer to that. What I do know is that God is changing who I am day by day. He draws me closer and closer to Him as I, moment by moment – choose Him. I choose to believe that He is loving me. I choose to believe that He cares. I choose to believe that the right things happen at the right time, and that the “wrong” things are a part of something greater.
Pollyanna? Yes I might be. But I know I serve an awesome God who will see me through each and every trial. Some of them have been devastating, but He has never let go. And so, I choose to continue to choose Him. As for me and my household – we will serve the LORD.
Father God, Grant your grace and peace to each dear reader this day. I pray you will show them a form of comfort they have never felt before. I pray you draw them to yourself and show them how to find peace in the midst of pain. Amen.