It's A Choice

Just like anybody else, my dad has a few unique quirks that make him special. These quirks might seem ordinary but they have had an extraordinary impact on my life. One of his quirks (though not as appreciated as others) is this weird song he sings to get my siblings and I out of bed when we are doing our best to stay in bed. The song goes like this, "Get your head out of bed. Didn't you listen to what I said? Out of the bed and onto your feet, what are you a pound of ground beef?" May I remind you that my dad's lacking musical expertise paired with be compared to ground beef is not the most relaxing way to wake up, but it wakes me up with a laugh (and a groan). On a serious note, my dad habitually tells each of my siblings and I every morning the exact same thing before he leaves the house. And this is what he says, "Have a great day. Learn a lot. Be kind to others. Make wise choices. And choose a good attitude." As long as I can remember, I have been told this daily from a man who lives it out with consistency and grace.

The most impactful part of this phrase has been "choose a good attitude." When I'm tired and grumpy, mad or upset, or just not feeling it, the word "choose" runs through my head. The fact that my attitude is a choice has been so engrained into my thoughts because my dad has taken the time to remind me of it daily. Choosing a good attitude is a commonly heard phrase in the Birchfield house with a teenager, two seven year olds, and a four year old running around all the time. In this season of my life, the Lord has been showing how powerful a perspective change is. As He has proved this to me through Scripture and current life experiences, I would continually ask Him to change my perspectives. He gave me the knowledge of knowing that perspective changes were vital for obedience and knowing that He answers prayers. Unfortunately, with this knowledge, not much changed. That's the thing, I know that knowledge is worthless without faith, but way too often I don't put my knowledge into faithful action. The Lord so powerfully yet so tenderly revealed to me that just like my attitude everything is a choice. I can want a perspective change however much I want, but until I choose to change my perspective its not going to happen. I had deceived myself into thinking that God would change my perspective for me. How wrong I was in thinking that God wants to do everything for me and how thankful I am that He doesn't. God wants me to work in faith so that I may grow. That's how much He loves me. Like my dad reminds me of choices, God reminds me daily of His faithfulness, power, and grace. Their words are nothing unless I listen and obey.

In a more general sense, everything we do is a choice. Whether I choose a good attitude or choose to remain complaining and selfish, its a choice. Spiritually, this truth resonates deep. One of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible is Romans 12. The chapter begins like this, "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." God has so graciously given us free will, and in view of His mercy, it is our CHOICE to surrender our lives to Him. But the decision making doesn't stop there at surrender. We must choose to not be conformed to this world. We must choose to be transformed. We must choose to renew our minds, so that we may align our lives with God's will. Further in the chapter, Paul goes to say that "Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection for one another in brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." With each of these phrases, God gives us a choice: Are we going to surrender or are we going to be conformed? Choose to love sincerely. Choose to detest evil and cling to what is good. Choose to show brotherly love and honor. Choose to be diligent. Choose to be fervent in spirit and serve the Lord. Choose to rejoice. Choose to patient. And choose to be persistent in prayer.

 So many times, I get so frustrated with my sinful nature and I ask myself why I keep falling into the same sinful pattern. The answer is that I made the wrong choice. The wonderful thing about free will is that we are FREE from sin to be in the WILL of God. This freedom is given us solely through the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. The same blood that conquered the grave and poured into us the power of the resurrection. Within the surrender of our lives, we make thousands upon thousands of choices. But the beauty of surrender is that it is our choice but it is God's strength. A perspective change or the choosing of a good attitude is a choice I make made possible by the power of my Savior living within me. That's why I can choose to rejoice in hope, because I am not fighting this battle alone.

In view of God's mercy, I choose joy. I choose patience and perseverance. I choose love over hatred. I choose grace over anger. I choose to keep my eyes on Christ. I choose to see people through His eyes instead of through judgement. I choose to give generously. I choose to love unconditionally. I choose to live in hope. I choose to worship my holy Father. I choose to say no to sinful habits. I choose to make disciples. I choose to be a light. I choose to live for my God alone. I choose to joyfully carry my cross. I choose all these things in faith that my God carries me with all-powerful hands. I choose all these things depending on His strength every step of the way.

Knowledge is meaningless without obedience. Obedience is worthless without His power to do it.