We know that human life is filled with decisions. We must make choices every day of our lives—some of them are insignificant decisions, like what to eat for lunch after Sunday service, while some of them come with life-changing consequences. When it comes to the latter—matters that carries such weight—we often take longer. Or we may delay or resist them altogether. But nonetheless, we must eventually choose and hopefully, stick by those decisions.
The Bible too brings us face to face with the necessity of decision. Moses, nearing the end of his life and preparing to pass the baton of leadership of Israel over to Joshua, spoke these words to his kinsmen, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Deut 30:19b-20).
Similarly, when Joshua was old and nearing the end of his earthly life, he continued in the same vein and set the same theme before the people of Israel. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:15). The challenge Joshua brought before the children of Israel thousands of years ago is the same choice faced by people today. People must still choose whom they will serve. And it is a decision that leads to its logical consequences; they must consciously “choose life” or they have unconsciously chosen death.
For this reason, Jesus’ followers choose to forsake all in order to follow him, for they know that in him is life. For this same reason, Jesus’ followers choose to reach out to those who have not yet chosen to follow him. Whether in evangelistic meetings or in individual sharing over a cup of coffee, those of us who know Christ and are devoted to him are called, like Joshua, to turn to those around us and say, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Josh 24:15). May we make the decision for ourselves and make the decision to help people come to the place of making their choices to follow the one who gives abundant life.