Life is full of decisions, is it not?

Some are easy.
‘What shall I have for breakfast?’
‘Red shirt or blue?’

Some are more difficult.
‘Should I take this new job?’
‘Is it the right time to buy a new car?’

Some are life changing.  Some have eternal implications.

We know an older man of questionable health in every sense of the word, who has no phone, has lost his license for medical reasons (a very big deal for him) and is living on a pension.  He faces a decision.  A hard one.  Use almost the entirety of his pension to live in a facility where all his needs are met or live in a run-down room above a downtown storefront for a fraction of the cost.

In the seniors’ residence he sees:
A cage.
Loss of freedom.
Being surrounded by people who are incapacitated and unable to offer conversation and companionship.
Throwing his money away.

We see:
Three squares a day.
Access to medical help and reminders to take his medication.
A nice, comfortable place.
Staff to help keep it clean and tidy.
Activities and television and people eager to chat.

It is true, it will absorb the majority of his pension; however, he will have no extra expenses.  It would all be paid for.

In the one-room apartment he sees:
Freedom to come and go, do as he pleases.
Being amongst people.
Eating what he wants, when he wants.
Money to spare.

We see:
Danger.
No one to see to his daily nutritional or medical needs.
A sketchy neighbourhood.
A less-than-desirable one-room apartment.

He is determined to live in the apartment.  His choice is made.  While to most there is no contest in the practical, best-for-him choice, he is blind to the benefits and sees only what he perceives as losses.

It made me think that this is very much like the choice each one has before God.

Some view surrender to Christ as:
Loss of freedom. Rules. Slavish.
Boring. Lacking excitement.
Relinquishing the things that make them “happy.”
Perhaps there is a fear of losing relationships.

All they see is what they must “give up” in choosing Christ.  

Some see only the allure of the here and now.  Some believe there is only happiness and excitement in this world.  They believe that they are free.  Some fail to understand that the very things they wish to hang on to may have already enslaved them. Some are unknowingly slaves to the pleasures they continually seek, in the form of addictions and other uncontrollable appetites and desires. Some are oblivious slaves to self, to work, to money. Some believe there is only fulfillment in relationships and they are slaves to this.

Some, as they weigh the cost, will reject all that is offered to them, that which is for their good:
Eternal life.
A relationship with the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, eternal God.  The One who gave all, paid all that this life could be offered.
Hope.

Freedom.

They miss the big picture.  They are unwilling to trade a pleasant, exciting life in the here and now (which is such a short, unknown amount of time) for eternity with God.  They do not comprehend the gravity of their choice.

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~Romans 6:16-23 

Perhaps some feel they are not ‘good enough’ or ‘too far gone’ for God to accept.  This is never the case with God.  He is kind and merciful, full of grace.

God loves you, friend.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16

Jesus chose to redeem you, to offer you eternal life. God wants you to choose life. He wants you to choose Him.

I have decided to follow Jesus.  Have you?