Choices

Our afflictions sometimes seem unbearable. Though millions of people have come down the same road we are traveling doesn't make it any less lonely. Though we are assured that the pain is but for a moment doesn't ease our suffering. Though we see the light at the end of the tunnel that means we are surrounded by darkness. Though words from a true friend comfort and minister to our pain yet we still have to bare that burden alone. There are so many roads in life that are trials and tests meant to teach us and mold us into what God has designed for our life. But at the moment of the suffering or at the time of our loneliest or in the pit of despair it feels as though we are never coming out. But God has a specific plan just for you. No one else can fill the shoes he has prepared for you. Our afflictions are sent to prepare us. Our loneliness is meant to show us his ultimate gift. When Jesus went to the cruel cross and laid down his life for you and I. He was not spared part of the pain because of who he was. He was not spared the loneliness because of who he was. He was not spared the torture of shame and humiliation because of who he was. He was, and is, and ever will be the Son of God. The suffering that he went through was his choosing. Though he could have called a host of angels to his side in a moment. He chose...to suffer for you and me...The reality is that we have a choice to take the road called holiness or a road of our own choosing. But regardless of the road we choose affliction will come. It is part of life. The thing to consider though is when those afflictions come are they preparing us and molding us? or Are they simply because of bad choices? Jesus wants every soul to come to him. But every soul will not come. Hell has enlarged itself. Right now we can live our lives to the full in pleasure and run from the will of God and miss his purpose in our lives. We can even spend our life going to church and doing seemingly religious stuff. But what seems right in our eye's is not the true way. Jesus told us (Mat 11:29)"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Learn of me. To make ourselves understand his way. To learn of his purpose and agenda. To learn of who he really is. To know the heart of God. Jesus suffered miserably for our sins. Though once we've chosen to follow him there will be heartaches. There will be despair. There will be moments of loneliness. There will be affliction. But the difference is that we have the Word of God's assurance on our side to comfort. We have the blessed hope, which is the knowing that our lives are in his hands and we have a place after this life where there is no pain, no suffering, no loneliness, no heartache,no sickness, not even death is there. So though you may be going through a struggle in your life right now. If you will give your lives completely to Jesus in the middle of misery there will be a peace that passes all understanding. In the middle of sickness there will be an assurance of our healing. In the middle of our loneliness the will be a sense of God's presence. In the middle of our storm there walking right by our side is none other but the storm walker, the one that spoke to the storm and the wind laid down and the sea was calmed. Jesus chose us. We are given a choice. But when the door is open for our visitation don't hesitate. Run to Jesus. Because he wants to pick you up and help you in your affliction. Friend I ask you one simple question...How do you choose? You and your way or Jesus? I pray you choose quickly and wisely. Amen!