Choices & Grace

Two words have been wandering around my brain these past few weeks.  Choices and Grace.  Because of one we are in desperate need of the other.

CHOICE…the act of making a decision

These past few weeks have forced us to make choices we were not prepared for AND there are many more on the horizon.  Do I stay home?  Should I get out to buy groceries today?  How do I manage homeschooling along with work?  How soon can I get back to work?  What can we cook today for the 4,745th meal of quarantine? When will it be safe to eat out again?  What bills do we pay after losing our income?  How can I still help others without risking their health (or mine)? I need to see my parents…they need to see me.  Is it safe?  Is it smart?  Major decisions…major life.  Choices have to be made.

God’s GRACE…the favor of God

Man’s GRACE…undeserved kindness

Ruth and Naomi often come to mind when I think about choices and grace.  Ruth chapter one tells the story of a heartbroken woman who has lost not only her husband, but also her two sons.  In spite of this, Naomi encourages her daughter in laws to leave her, to go back to their home…to their families.  Orpah makes that choice.  She realized home with her family was her comfortable place.  She made a choice that fit her and her needs.  Naomi blessed that choice.  There is no condemnation of her in Gods’ word.  It was simply a choice.  Grace given.

Ruth made a different choice.  A choice to stay with her mother in law.  A choice that had no clear path to happiness.  A choice that went against all conventional wisdom.  A choice that will make her totally dependent on God’s grace.  In Chapter 2, we read about Ruth and her willingness to do whatever it takes to take care of her mother in law and herself.  She works with the laborers in the field and is noticed.  Grace given.

Chapters 3-4…Ruth is “redeemed”.  Boaz noticed her goodness and is willing to not only protect her reputation but accept the responsibility of her kinsmen redeemer.  The legacy of her choice – his choice, is a genealogy of Kings. Grace given.

We serve a great God.  We serve a God who has given us very specific guidelines on how to follow Him yet, in His infinite wisdom, allows us to make a lot of life choices.  He then guides us, guards us, shelters us, loves us and forgives us as we meander through this life.

We are in the middle of a perfect storm of choices.  Directives are coming down that are contradictory.  Some states are opening up…others are not.  Neighboring counties cannot even agree on a course of action. Opinions are flying right and left on how and when we are to “begin life” again.  Added to this confusion is the simple fact that the same remedy is not needed for everyone across our country.

What is good for you is not necessarily the right choice for me.  Some of us may be able to stay off work another two weeks but the family next door may have no food to eat if that choice is made.  One business may be able to withstand the storm but the one that can’t – that’s someones life savings being lost. Being in public could unknowingly make someone sick but not going out could mean meals are not being delivered to those in need.

So…What do we do?  We make a choice…

Be kind…walk in their shoes…show respect to one another…do not judge…show empathy

GIVE GRACE

Turn to God.  When life confronts us with choices…hard choices…when there is no clear cut right or wrong answer, God has given us guidelines to make the best choice possible.

• Pray about it…Philippians 4:6-7  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
• Go to His word for counsel…Proverbs 2:1-5  “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
• Determine your motive…Hebrews 4:12  “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
• Consider the consequences…Titus 2:7  “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works…”

THEN…

Trust Him...Psalm 37:5  “Commit your way to the Lord; TRUST in Him, and he will act.”

Show Grace…Show God

2 Peter 1:2  “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

Listen to His voice,

Lee Ann