There is Always a Choice

What is choice, and why is it important for us to have it? 

Webster's Dictionary describes choice as the act of choosing, the power of choosing, and having a number or variety to choose from.  Now, take a minute and imagine not having the ability to choose for yourself.  What would that look like, and how does it make you feel?  For me, I would feel stuck, unheard, lacking freedom, or oppressed.  I would feel like life means I HAVE TO rather than I GET TO.  This is not a great feeling, and imagine how you would feel if you didn't feel great either when asking yourself this question. 

With this thought, I'm led to wonder why God decided to give us a choice by also giving us free will.  Is it because God is not a demanding or controlling God, so naturally, free will is given to us (choice)?  We are often taught that God gave us free will because if we were perfect and acted in the spirit all the time, we wouldn't need him or even depend on him.  This is why having free will is essential.  However, and note that I do agree with why free will is necessary, I think a more fulfilling answer to these questions lies simply in the second part of the Webster dictionary definition of choice: an adjective meaning 1) Worthy of being chosen; 2) Selected with care; and 3) of high quality. God wants to be chosen just like you, or I want to be chosen by someone, right? Free will allows us to choose God or to choose ourselves. When we choose Him, I'm betting He feels worthy, selected with care (thought), and chosen because we consider him of high quality.  I believe he chooses us and does so not because we are his children but because he sees each one of us as worthy, selected with care (even before we were in our mother's womb), and considered precious and of high quality. 

My reason for bringing up choice and free will is that every day throughout our lives, we make choices. However, I often notice that in certain situations, our men will comment, "I don't have a choice in the matter."  Or "Do I really have a choice?"  My response when I hear them make a statement like this or something similar is, "There is always a choice."  From the autopilot choices we make without thinking, such as brushing our teeth, taking a shower, or getting up to an alarm, we are still making a conscious choice to do these things.  You could choose not to brush your pearly whites or to shower and smell of roses.  We also make choices with greater awareness, such as decision-making, how we treat others, and whether we want to be a person of fixed thinking or a person with a growth mindset. There is always a choice whether we see it or not.  Not making a choice is even a choice.  To think otherwise is to limit oneself spiritually and in the flesh.  God speaks to the importance of renewing our minds and thinking more Christ-like.  And it takes work sometimes to resist what the flesh wants to say or do, but the flesh is not of high quality, or worthy, or selected with care.  It is an OPTION in choice, and that is it.  In following Christ, we are essentially given a leader whose plan for our lives is PERFECT.  That alone is an indicator that free will probably isn't the way to go.  So, moving forward, remember we always have a choice: God's way or our way.  Choose wisely, choose high quality, choose worthy, and select with care. God Bless!

Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your HEART (spirit) and lean not on your own UNDERSTANDING (flesh), in all your WAYS (choices) ACKNOWLEDGE him and he shall DIRECT  your paths (His will).