Choose Life

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live. (Deut. 30:19)
God tells us that the choice between life and death, between a blessing or a curse is up to us! He almost pleads with His people, telling us to choose life in order that we may live. God not only gives us a choice, He goes further and tells us what choice we should make. He even shows us the benefits of making the right choice, and He let us know the consequences should we choose otherwise.

In essence, God is saying, "Here's your choice, life or death, a fruitful future or one of pain. But wait! Before you choose, let Me tell you which is best. Choose life that you may live, both you and your descendants. Got it? Okay, now choose."

There was this "Let's Make a Deal", on this 1970s TV game show, would-be contestants in the studio audience would dress up like squirrels, ducks, redwoods and various household appliances and act nuts to get the attention of the show's host, Monty Hall. On one of the shows, Monty pointed to a housewife dressed as a chicked and said, "Chicken, come on down!"

IF YOU KNOW THESE THINGS, YOU ARE BLESSED IF YOU DO THEM.                                                                         JOHN 13:17 
The lady pecked her way toward the aisle, jumping up and down excitedly and molting all over the host. Monty then pointed out three large doors on the stage and said, "You can have whatever is behind door number one, door number two or door number three. Which one are you going to choose?" The helpful studion audience yelled out, "One!" "No, pick two!" "Three! Three! Pick Three! all at the same time. 

The chicken made her choice: "Three!"

Monty then said, "Before I show you what's behind door number three, let me show you what's behind door number one!" The door was opened and there stood a pair of Mercedes Benz luxury automobiles.

Wails of sorrow rose from the chicken and from the audience.

Monty continued, "Now let me show you what's behind door number two!"The door opened and a voice announced, "A 50-foot sailboat and a vacation in Acapulco!"

More groans of disappointment.

"And now," Monty said, "let me show you what you have chosen behind door number three!" The door opened to reveal a donkey.

The chicken lady threw her hands up in despair, as the audience echoed woe over such a poor choice. Wasn't that tragic?

Now let me share with you something even more tragic. Imagine if the game show had gone like this:

Monty says, "You can have whatever is behind door number one, door number two or door number three. Which door will you choose? But wait! Before you tell us, let me show you what's behind every door! Behind door number one are two luxury cars! Behind door number two we have a sailboat and a vacation in Acapulco! Behind door number three is a donkey. Got it?

"Uh, okay! the chicken lady replies, and the crowd goes wild in anticipation.

"Now, which one will you choose? Door number one, door number two, or door number three?"

She pauses for a second, listening to the confusing barnyard calls of the other animals in the studio audience.

"Oh... uh....well....," she nervously deliberates. "Door number three!"

Now that would be tragic!

Nevertheless, as dumb as it sounds, that's exactly what we do. So often God shows us the consequences of making a bad choice or walkint through life with a bad attitude, and yet we choose that attitude anyway. Then when relationships fail, when we lose friends or forfeit a great opportunity, it really should be no surprise.

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). Take time with me over these next chapters to deposit into your heart the necessary ingredients to develop a life-changing attitude. Make that choice right now. It may come slowly first, but don't give up. The new attitude may feel awkward at first, but practice until it becomes natural.

You are only one attitude away from a great life, a successful marriage and a promising future!

 (From Wayne Cordeiro's "Attitudes that Attract Success")


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