So, someone around here (that would be me) thought it would be a fun idea to get a puppy after our sweet old dog died this year. And don’t get me wrong, he is a cute little bugger. Right now, though, after several nights of sleep deprivation trying to get him housetrained, I am questioning most of my decision. Instead of moving into regret, I’m reminded again of the importance of choosing our choices.
Throughout life there are choices we have made, and many more that are made for us without our blessing or input. We often want to get angry, sad or depressed about whatever choice has been made for us, and sometimes we do it about our own decisions as well. I have been stopped in my tracks though when God asks me if I will choose to follow Him in whatever it is, even if I don’t like it. I would much rather throw a fit about it, and sulk in my disappointment. But if I choose my choices, I can change my attitude, and take advantage of the power Jesus’ indwelling Life brings to whatever situation it is.
You see, nothing is too big or too much for Him. Not a rejection or betrayal, not a tough marriage or a difficult child, not an unwanted move to a place we don’t want to go or a mess of a world that presents itself every morning upon our arising. If I invite Him into my mess, I am able to choose my choices and let Him be enough for each need throughout it. I want to be led by my Shepherd, following His gentle voice as it leads me through things I don’t think I can make it through. Even when the world looks dark and everywhere we look is something terrible, we can still have hope that He will be enough. So, we focus on showing up for our lives in whatever small way we can, inviting Him into each moment.
This means that we are not controlled by circumstances, but can look beyond them to what God is doing through them. It’s not that God is trying to make us miserable, but rather that He can bring beauty out of all sorts of ashes. When we maintain our victim mentality rather than choosing what is in front of us, we live in constant reaction. We are dependent on our circumstances to try to find happiness, but when that isn’t consistent, we react. What freedom to be able to find joy in any situation!
I know things can look really daunting right now. So much screams of the agony of the world as it needs a Savior. We can allow it to take over, and we feel like everything is spinning out of control. But it’s not. We get to speak truth to ourselves, that Jesus is with us no matter the fire that seems to surround us, and He will carry us through. We get to choose our choices, recognizing that we stand on a foundation much stronger than our own strength. From that position, we can move forward with joy and peace no matter what the circumstance looks like.
God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. Romans 8:27-28