What Will I Do?

What Will I Do?

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

When I was first living on my own as a young man, I remember coming to a critical decision point. While sitting in my room one day this thought came at me like it was printed on a giant neon billboard: “I can do anything I want.” I can spend my time, energy, and money any way I chose. There was no one there to tell me, “No.” And as I considered that thought, “I can do anything I want,” I couldn’t stop this question from following it, “Now, what am I gonna do?”

I knew immediately this is a lifelong question and understood that with my freedom to choose came the responsibility to choose wisely, for I knew I would bear the consequences—good or bad—of my decisions. As a Christian I knew I had the choice to submit to God and the authority of his word, or to go my own way, and I remember, at that moment, asking God to help me to choose always to follow him.

Of course, I haven’t followed him perfectly, but following Christ has been my standard for making life’s choices. And, God, who gives us our freedom, will encourage us, as he did with Cain after Cain failed to obey him. “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” (Genesis 4:7).

God grants us tremendous freedom to choose how we will spend our time, energy, and money—but the choices we make are up to us. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Is obedience to God a daily priority in your daily life?