The Choice.

When Christ came to earth, He lived each day making the best choices. He lived in such a way that he lived a completely sinless life. So, I got to thinking about choices. We all have them. Every day we make thousands of them and most of the time we aren't even realizing we're making them. Think about it; you get to choose what you eat, what you wear, what you say, who you're in a relationship with, or who you're not in a relationship with. I believe life is all about choice. The choices we make, consciously or otherwise, that impact our paths, our decisions, our relationships and our ability to move forward.

Then I started reflecting on my life.

I remember being a senior in high school, and for a project we had to write about where we wanted to be in ten years. I clearly remember these few things: I wanted to graduate from college by the age of 22. Immediately acquire a "career" and be married by 23. I wanted two children (one boy and one girl to be specific) by the time was 26, and also reside in a spacious home with a white picket fence. Cookie cutter right?

Who was I kidding?

So, now that those ten years have come and gone, I look at the choices I've made. Some decisions I am proud of, and other decisions were just plain irrational, selfish, and thoughtless. I thank God for His abundant grace everyday. Although I'm not where I thought I would be with my seventeen-year-old intellect, I'm grateful for my flawed path. The past year and a half I've had to learn to seek God first each day, and welcome His presence into every decision made. 

The struggle does not stop there.

We are responsible for our own walk, and we are accountable for how we choose to live and behave. 

Nevertheless, we cannot schedule our lives. And we certainly shouldn't compare our lives to others. Sure, there will be barriers and obstacles to overcome, life has a good way of throwing us an unexpected curve ball. That's what shapes us into who we are. We need to make sure that we are being humbly attentive to the choices that face us each moment. Choices shape habits, and habits shape who we are. We need to remember to listen for God's voice and His guidance. His direction will lead us down the path of righteousness, hope, and promise. God gives his best to those who leave the choice with Him.

Let's do 2013 with purpose, love, grace, and good choices.

-Tracy