Miley Cyrus, a 15 year old star on Disney TV appearing as 'Hannah Montana,' is a role model and the celebrity of the moment for millions of American pre-adolescent girls. Up to yesterday, she enjoyed a "G"-rated, squeaky clean image. Several weeks ago, in a photo shoot with famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, Cyrus allowed some 'artistic' shots to be taken that will be published in a national magazine. Pre-publication release of the photos provoked a storm of criticism and a quick apology by Cyrus for her choice to allow the pictures to be taken. Reading the story, I couldn't help but think of more than a few choices I have made in life that seemed good at the time but which produced a harvest of unintended consequences. How about you? Are you choosing wisely, inviting the best outcome in life? The importance of choosing wisely is a recurring theme in the Scripture! How do we choose wisely?
Most basically, we must decide who is Lord, God or Self. Elijah, the fearless prophet of God at a time when Israel was deeply involved in idolatry, laid down this challenge: "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." (1 Kings 18:21, NKJV) Who is in charge of your life, Believer? Have you made an irrevocable choice to embrace God's rule, committing yourself to follow His ways in all things, everyday? None of us does it perfectly! But, we can and, by the power of the Spirit, we will grow in grace and He will forgive us our sins and failures.
If we choose to make Him the Lord of life, it follows that we must discern His purpose. Wouldn't we be foolish to say, "I am a disciple of Christ," but have no idea where is He leading us? Jesus asks, "Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?" (Luke 6:46, NLT) Some who call themselves Christians wrap the Bible around their lives. The words of Jesus become a veneer that hides their own self-will. A disciple who is sincere wraps his life around the Word! Prayerfully, honestly, humbly he gives himself to know and understand the Word and, having internalized it, allows the principles to shape every decision.
It is hard to give up our freedom of choice! For those of us who were taught to value self-expression, personal fulfillment, and happiness above all things, it is a hard thing to kneel before the Cross of Christ and 'die to Self.' I want to do what makes Jerry happy, but I am not my own. Nor are you, Believer. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV) That is not a grim statement of resignation, at all. It is a declaration of a glorious privilege. We are sons, not servants, and we make our Father's will known in this world; "His good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12.2) The paradox, in terms of human reasoning, is that the person who surrenders himself to God finds is the most free person of all - free from slavery to sin, free from fear of judgment, and free to become the person he was designed to be by his Creator.
What choices are you making today? Are they wise? Are they in keeping with your heritage as God's child?
Jesus promises that choosing wisely to live in the will of God produces the best outcome. Meditate on this passage and let it shape your ways. "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27, NIV)
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All to Jesus, I surrender,
all to Him, I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him,
in His presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior.
I surrender all!
All to Jesus, I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee.
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
- Judson Van DeVenter - public domain
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