Last week, our pastor shared an incredible message on the choices we make. He pointed out that more often than not, we are faced with having to make decisions, planned or unplanned as it relates to family, relationships, finances or work. We have to carefully weigh in our options and through careful processing and most importantly prayer, settle on a decision that will ultimately have a consequence, which we hope will be to the benefit of ourselves or those around us. No one truly sets out to choose with the goal of causing destruction. No one really wants to harm others by the choices they make; cause pain or disruption of any kind. But that can sometimes be the end result as we either hastily make our choice based strictly on the info before us, allow our “heart” to be our guide or simply choose an option that is the lesser of the two evils at the time.
As I listened to his message, what resonated with me was the fact that based on the choices we make; the decisions we face, this dictates our future; our story. The loves we pursued, the jobs we accepted, the money we spent. As we journey through life, we will share our story with others; it becomes our personal testimony of the choices we’ve made and the outcomes. What about the mistakes; the choices that were filled with good intentions but resulted in pain and hurt? These too can become part of your story especially as you work through it and eventually attain peace and joy. You can share the entire experience with others. You can empower and lift up others by way of your personal walk through your decisions and the results of each one. You have the ability to not only provide guidance based on your good decisions but also steer individuals away from mirroring the mistakes you’ve made and pursue that, which is healthy, focused and fulfilled.
None of us are perfect and we all fall short at one point or another. But the beauty of it is that we have the chance to pick ourselves up off the ground, brush ourselves off and try it again. Yes, we can play the victim, sit there and cry woe is me, life is so unfair, but what is accomplished there? How are you able to impact the world and see real change in your life if you allow this life to consume you? Don’t give it the strength or the permission to rob you of what God has intended for your life. Claim it and seek it and give it everything you have! We all have a past, we’ve all made mistakes with poor choices but instead of falling back, let’s give it everything we have and move forward…your story awaits you!
“Remember when you see a man at the top of a mountain, he didn’t fall there” ~Author Unknown
