What Choice Will You Make?....

1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, "for God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

What a tough decision it is to make when you are faced with 2 options in life where one gives you instant satisfaction and an immediate resolve and the other one gives you life. We all may believe that when faced with this type of obstacle that we would all choose the right one but what is the right one? At the time of action, do we really know? Growing up I have spent more than half of my life fighting and going after others to fight for various reasons, none which are justifiable. When me and some friends get together, we often talk and laugh about the people we have "beat down" at clubs, parks, or the middle of the streets. As we talk about it, we all agree that in those days we felt like we could not be touched and we never got caught for fighting. We would always stop and blend in when the authorities came. As we have gotten older, and prayerfully wiser, we also agree that those days are gone. Now, if the need was really there, and we had no other option at that moment and needed to defend ourselves, well, it's like riding a bike, you never forget how. As life throws us options now, we have to be aware of some simple facts that make the situations a reality. One wrong move can change your whole life and the lives of those around you. None of us are perfect, only Jesus was perfect and even He faced some hard choices and obstacles and thank God He made the right ones. I have recently faced a moment of truth and had to make a very challenging choice. On one side, I could have chosen to satisfy my immediate "fix" and quenched an urge. On the other side, I could make a choice to walk in my salvation and have life. I made the choice to walk in my salvation and life. Why? That is the question I asked the whole night after it happened. Why? My past would have made a much different choice and the choice would have escalated across many others who were involved. However, I understand a few things about me and what I want out of life and I have enough failures that I don't need to help add to my failures when I have a clear cut choice in front of me. The situation that presented it self and put me in that moment of truth was a situation that caught me so off guard, I was not sure if it was real or a joke. However, I know the why? and all the reasons I made the choice of salvation. First and foremost, I am serious about God and my walk with Him. I have seen so many say that they are Christians and claim to be a follower of Christ, walking around saying that they will not others "block their blessing" all the while they are living in sin when they have the option to change it but don't and their actions create situations that cause harm to them and others around them. When I speak to others about Christ, I want to be sure that I am speaking what I am living. Leadership is being able to lead by example and show others it can be done. I also don't believe in others "blocking my blessing." Only I can block my own blessing by either my actions, or allowing others actions to do such. The other reason I did not jump at the chance to satisfy my own selfish need and get immediate satisfaction was because of my children. What example would I set for my kids if I engaged in actions that could potentially change the entire direction of both their lives? What good would it do to make a choice that could destroy every thing I have worked so hard to set up for them? The third reason is because of my wife who I can not imagine living without. If I made the choice to satisfy my urge, it could have possibly changed the direction God has us on in our marriage. There is a few other reasons that caused me to make the choice I did, but none are as important as God, my wife, and my family. Why are we so selfish that we will sacrifice the gifts that God has provided for us and risk losing everything we have, just to satisfy our own selfish needs? What ever that "Moment of Truth" is for you, what choice will you make? What options will you weigh in your mind and more importantly in your heart? What is greater to you? When me and my friends talk about the past and laugh about our actions and what we did before, we all agree 100% that God, our wives, and our families are never worth the risk to do what we used to. With those choices, the rewards are far greater then any action that may provide me with satisfying a selfish need or the need to run and tell others, "yea, I did that to him." I would much rather hear God say, "Yes, I have this for you."

So often in life we get to a place in our busy busy schedule that we tend to lose sight of just how much God will take care of. If I am alone on this, fine, I will take that, just put this in your pockets to hold on to as an "in case" situation, should you ever forget. See, we know what God can do, we talk about it all the time and have seen it in our lives. However, at times, frustration comes up when we get so busy and we forget who is always in control. (What are you talking about...I am sure you asked.) Good question.

2009 started out with huge plans and big goals ahead. My amazing wife went back to school to finish her Masters which I am so proud of her for doing, and after a 15 year vacation, with only a few months accounted for 12 years ago, I started school to get my degree. Now, not much it seems but my daughter is also playing Volleyball, my son plays basketball. My wife and I both work full time and work for our local church with children and youth. Now, if you married you know that takes work, kids, more work, sports with your kids...more, church involvement...more, career.....a lot....now add school for both parties. Whew!!!! When my wife and I sat down to talk about both of us going back to school, we talked about the time factor and how busy we would be and it would be a challenge till the end. We both prayed and agreed it would work. We could do it. Once it all kicked it, I remember laying in my bed thinking "what did I just get myself in to?" I have been out of school for a long time and the truth is I am probably the same age as many of my professors which can be a challenge with communication. It became so hectic I did not know if I made the right choice and if we were in trouble. It has been so busy and so challenging that sleep is hard to get and seeing the light seems too far away.

However, just when you feel you are digging that hole. Just when you feel that you have nothing left to go on. Like trying to keep up with the class work, perform at work, be a good husband, take care of your home, make plans for the youth of your church so they get the Good Word, and be a parent that your kids will want to be like when they get older and be there all the time for them, you can get a little caught up and stressed. This is when we have to remember who is in control. God will make a way. A few weeks ago, I had no idea if I was going to make it through and trying to figure out a way to balance the ship and make sure my wife was not stressing about any of this. I understand as a husband, I have taken the responsibility to do all I can to make my wife as stress free as possible and carry the burden for her. In the midst of it all, God stepped in. This past weekend was evident that God was telling me, as He tells us all, "Don't worry, I got you." See, this weekend, though it was a fury of things to do, we made it through and it was a great time. I got caught up on my school work and got ahead in my classes, got some work done around the house, and got my message prepared for the youth I was preaching to on Sunday. God had opened a door for me to speak at another church and we were bringing my youth group with us. So I got caught up, but that was nothing compared to what God did the rest of the weekend. On Saturday, my daughter had a volleyball tournament that lasted all day and my son had a basketball game in the middle of her tournament. At my son's game, after running up and down the court for 5 quarters, (they play 6) he got a pass from his teammate, turned around and made a great shot off the backboard for his first basket in a game. I was out on the floor coaching him along and lost focus, grabbed him and gave him a huge hug. He was so excited, jumping up and down all the way down the court. Once his game was done, he got a star for Offensive Player of the Game. We celebrated and rushed back over to my daughters tournament. They kept playing and at the end of the day, they finished in third place and won a medal. This is her first medal for sports and they all did a great job. We celebrated again for a great day. We ran home and had a surprise for the kids that evening. We got home, changed and took off to check out the Spurs game against the Hornets at the AT&T Center thanks to our Uncle who left us some tickets. The kids were so excited to see the game once we got there, talking away and just smiling. (by the end of the game however, little man was knocked out sleep) Sunday, God continued to be God. We loaded up the youth, headed over to the other church and spent the worship time with 115 youth. God gave me a word on Redemption to preach and at the end of service, 3 young people came back to Christ. God is so awesome. They all said they had a great time and were already planning the next visit.

So after all my concerns and sleepless moments, God still is God. The best part of the whole thing is my kids accomplishments and the youth walking with Christ. It just shows that it is not about us, not about what we can do and accomplish, it is about God and His plan and as parents, it is about our children. As a husband, it is about my family. Now that I am ahead on my studies and clear of stress, I can make sure that my wife stays stress free and knows that I am there to help her as well. Thank you God for always being there and always providing a way when I get lost. He will do the same for everyone, just ask.