I Robbed Myself
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that 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. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
The Lord always sets before us options with our best interests in mind. He knows which decisions will bring us the best good and which will leave us with less than His best.
The first night of my retreat was amazing. I was able to find peace and stillness which lead to a wonderful nights sleep which is very rare for me. I then spent a full day with God. Reading, praying, learning and taking in the incredible surroundings. It was a perfect God day!
When evening came I found myself excited about the opportunity for another wonderful nights sleep. Sitting by the firepit near the river added to the relaxed atmosphere and it was then that I had a choice to make. I could simply sit and take it all in or I could drink another glass of wine. I opted for the wine thinking it would add to the experience.
That it did, but not in a good way. A few hours later a headache took away any chance of a restful night’s sleep. I had robbed myself of God’s best for me.
It made me think about how many other areas of my life I rob myself by not choosing God’s best. No, God wasn’t angry with me for my decision, nor did He love me less. But He knew that He had planned a night of peace, rest and rejuvination which I needed and then gave me the option to take it or try to get it on my own.
Today’s passage is a reminder that we have eternal choices to make as well. We have the choice between life and death, blessings and curses. It all comes down to our own decisions. But when we make that decision to choose life, that’s when God’s best will become our reality. I love the way the passage ends with a confident knowledge that God is your life.
Lord, thank you for forgiving my poor choice. I missed out on all that You had for me. Thank you for new days and new opportunities to choose life. To choose You! In Jesus’ name, amen.