Apr 24, 20233 min read

Day 6 - Choice, it is Yours, Every Minute of Every Day

Updated: Jan 13

Who joins you at your table, or whose table will you join? The choice is yours.

Whom do you choose to spend time with, the faithful, the unsure, or the non-believers? Those who have accepted the journey as committed believers or those who journey with little or no faith? The choice is ours. Hopefully, we make choices understanding that the actions and words of others can influence us, yet ours can also affect them. We can and are influenced by the world, the popular, famous, and successful. Their success can seem appealing, and you may be drawn to imitate it. But are they a good influence on your life? Does the impact on you and the world around them feel right? Do you sense doubt in your actions or thoughts? Do you feel confused and need clarification about what to think?

Have you asked the Holy Spirit to help you? Are you listening?

In addition, it is essential to consider whether you share your beliefs with others so they may learn more about our Lord. You could be the influence they need, just as Jesus found himself surrounded by tax collectors and those who were skeptical. He let his followers know that those who were scoundrels had more to learn from him than the people, like themselves, who already believed.

Another aspect of the external world is our thoughts about others. Where we allow them to go also selects our tablemates. Do you ever wonder why a person appears to be finding favor in life yet also may be straying from the faithful? Cease worrying about why they find acceptance and you feel you are not. There could be several situations occurring. It may be that the blessing they are demonstrating is the enticement, a temporary illusion, of the enemy, and while it may look desirable from the outside, in the long run, the cost is too great.

Or consider that perhaps they are actually in a place spiritually you cannot understand, that they are being shown God's favor because he is trying to help them as part of their redemption process. Could he be trying to save them before they are lost forever?

Thankfully, we are not given the gift of judgment over others' spiritual journeys. Instead, we may be given opportunities to help and guide without judgment. If you release judgment to the Lord and know he is responsible for seeing his will be done with others, you can focus on your journey. Then, you can observe and admire his handiwork as his wonder unfolds.

Prayer:

Lord, God of all that is beautiful and mysterious, I know you are with me. I know you are always in view when I open my eyes and truly see. So, I offer my eagerness to be righteous and ask you to help me replace bad judgment and my judgment of others. Empower me to stop the comparison of others to myself. Eliminate any negativity I may have toward myself when I fall short. Help me see myself as you see me: beautiful or handsome, intelligent, capable, and loved.

Lord, in your eyes, I am a fantastic person.

Help me see what you see, and always act with your heart.

Jesus, you gave me so many examples of goodness. The sacrifices you demonstrated throughout your life are the ultimate example of how I should act toward others. Help me understand your gift and always remember what it should mean to me and how I think.

In your son's precious and glorious name, Jesus Christ, I offer these requests and petitions to become more of what you demonstrated and believe I can be. Amen.