Choices…How can every area of your present life, your future, and your eternal destination be determined by such a small, little word? Do the small and seemingly insignificant choices that you make today, actually impact your future?  After all, aren’t some of your choices simply preferences?

Some one has said that there are two ways to look at life. The first way is to choose a path, and accept the destiny of where your path will lead you. The second way is to choose the destiny (Heaven), and accept the path that God has planned for your life.

This past weekend, when we were sharing at the women’s prison, we met many women who had faced terrible pain and loss. When they encountered their trials, they were immediately at a crossroad and were faced with a choice. They needed to choose how they would respond to the pain they were experiencing. We only saw a glimpse of the devastation that happened in their lives because of their wrong choices. The unbearable pain led many of them to drugs, cutting themselves, and  lesbian life styles. These precious women were filled with so much unrest, hatred and bitter feelings to God and to those who had hurt them. The current situation they are in, is a result of NOT choosing God’s way in response to pain.

In the Bible, we read how Job experienced rapid fire destruction and had everything taken away from him. He had a big choice to make, and it would forever affect his destiny. Job suffered severe affliction, and his earthly hopes all lay dashed at his feet. In one day, he lost almost everything he owned. All of his ten children were killed and yet he said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21)

Job chose to see God’s hand behind the swords of the men who killed his servants and cattle. He saw God’s hand in the devastating winds and lightning that took the lives of his dear family. Job chose to see God’s hand even as he heard the dreadful silence of his shattered home. As Job mourned and sat among the ashes, he proclaimed, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” (Job 13:15) Job made an incredible choice, and because of it, God rewarded him in an incredible way. (Read Job 42: 12-13)

I admire the character of Job and the choices he made. Our family knows just how difficult it is to respond in a godly way when we are facing a “Job experience”. There have been many times when we have made wrong choices, but we are so thankful for God’s grace and forgiveness.

How are you responding to the little irritations that you are facing today? Do you really feel that you can validate your wrong responses? You may even be facing a crisis or devastation, but can you truly justify your anger and bitterness when the same God that carried Job is also waiting to carry you?

Maybe you are finding yourself on a mountain top right now. Life is great! You are experiencing the rich rewards that God is sending your way, and you are basking in His faithfulness and provision. You also have a choice to make. Will you continue receiving blessings from God and keeping them only for yourself?  Instead of passing the blessing on to others, are you becoming like the children of Israel who tried to hoard more “manna” for tomorrow? (Read Exodus 16:17-20) Are you becoming self sufficient and forgetting that all that you have is a gift from God? Are you allowing Him to bless others through you?

The choice is yours! Remember that every choice you make, whether big or small, will affect your eternal future.