Choices

I know in studying I'm starting to learn more about good stuff in, good stuff out. I also know that the pull of the 'old' me is very strong, and it takes a DAILY (sometimes hourly) effort to refocus myself. But last night I was watching Spiderman 3. (I know, I know, I watch a lot of movies, but they make for good blog ideas, right?) And somewhere near the end (spoiler alert) Spiderman is talking to one of the bad guys about choices. He says that no matter what, everyone has a choice.

It got me thinking. Biblically, I know that it says we are ALL born into sin. This throws out of the water what we as a society generally feel that most people are inherently good. I fall into that mindset too, and I've been hurt by it greatly. The truth is though, that we are all born into evil. To say that "I don't murder" or "I don't do what that other guy does" is lying to ourselves, because biblically, we are ALL sinners, each of us, every day. To Him a sin is a sin is a sin.

(Because of this sin, we are all destined to live an eternity apart from Him. But through salvation, we can be made new and live with Him in eternity and in our walk here on this planet.)

So it's all about choice. Everyday I have a choice, and some days, most days, I fail. I catch myself thinking about things I know are wrong, in some small way wanting to be part of the worldliness I used to live for, letting myself be quick to anger, telling even the smallest of white lies on purpose. I have my giants (previous blog), but I know that if I keep focusing on Him, keep studying, keep myself on track, I will have the armor I need to fight the battle. I know I won't always win, and unlike myself, I know if I turn to Him and ask for forgiveness and strength, He will grant it.

I think about these choices from another view these days. I remember several years ago a friend of mine told me that her husband had made the choice to never drink again, not even casually. The first thought I had was WHY? Not even a glass of wine here or there? His point wasn't that alcohol in itself was the problem, but that he didn't want it to lead to excessiveness, or to cause another person to stumble in their walk. I still thought, I could never do that. I know it fits into what most people (myself even recently) would think that having a walk with Christ is about, too many rules, too much to give away. But now, I'm slowly starting to understand. There is so much in return, so much more of a fulfillment with a growing walk with Christ that you don't want to make changes in your life because you 'have to', but because you want too. Things you never thought of as stumbling blocks for yourself, or for those around you, become clear. Your choices start to change because those things just don't matter anymore, and in their place is so much more.

I like the show House. Mostly because of the main character, Dr. House. His genius is awe inspiring, even when his mouthful of sarcasm makes you want cheer on the other players. It's his mounting flaws and struggle with 'Is there a God?' that make you drawn to him. He said something in one episode that stuck with me, "Life is a series of rooms. It's not the rooms that define you, it's what you choose to do in them."

It's all about choice. Everyday is a new day. I try, I make a bad choice, I fall, I learn, I ask for forgiveness and I try again. I make new choices. I make different choices.

Verse to Ponder: Colossians 3:22-24 (NKJV) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.