Choices In Truth

Cynth and I have gotten closer to the frontline of technology over the past year. iPhones, a flat screen TV (courtesy of my children and Cynth), AppleTV (courtesy of my eldest), and now a Mac computer. OK, a Mac-mini, but a Mac nevertheless. So I'll e spending a little time figuring out this new machine that so far seems much smarter than I am, and even more pragmatic than a PC. About thirteen years ago I had my first exposure to a Mac-like computer. Hated it. And I had both a PC and an Apple computer while on the Joint Staff almost five years later. I still didn't like it. It wasn't the computer or the software that was the cause of my dislike. Rather it was my discomfort at this strange look, feel and manner of operation. I am glad now to be part of the Apple gang.

We make many, if not all our choices and decisions to maximize our comfort, or at a minimum to experience as little unpleasantness as possible. We see the circumstances constructing the problem in front of us and begin to "what if" the situation from as many angles as is possible so we can make the choice that we believe best suits us. We measure perceived risks and weigh potential outcomes through our multi-faceted prism that illumines not only that which poses the least risk to our well being, but also identifies our basest motivation - what we want most.

This world is chock-full (sorry) of wonderful things. Beautiful mountains, forests, or the shore. A good friend, a loving family, babies. An antique car, classical music, a gentle breeze anytime of year. Yet life here is hard, and hard because of the heart choosing based on what we want. We arrive at a place where we know the truth, but we've already gone too far (so we think) to turn back to seek God for help to soften our heart toward him daily. So, our lack of knowing God leads us back to our wants and comfort as the foundation of our choices.

Knowing what is really best based on right truth gets pushed aside as we try every possible means to justify our choices. "This makes sense," we say to ourselves. We start to misconstrue the emotions and even the facts, allowing for our heart to leads us further from truth as we follow logic constructed in our mind. All our efforts to protect our selves from what may happen often is for naught as the events unfold according to divine prerogative, leaving us to interpret what has happened through opaque lenses, and thus often wrong conclusions.

We are creatures in constant need of consciously emptying ourselves of our selves, and consciously giving Christ our whole heart. Only a heart redeemed by Christ is free to make the choices of life from God's perspective. Only a life given to Christ and lived rooted in him sees life's choices as rightly decided when the life is steadfast in God's truth. The person who knows God lives, though imperfectly, according to God's word confident in his perseverance. We never have to be afraid. Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9).