It's Your Choice

But if serving The Lord seems undesirable to you then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve , whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  But as for me & my household, we will serve The Lord. (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

I have come to realize this week that there are a group of phrases that really bother me. They include but are not limited to: "there's nothing we can do about it", "it's that way everywhere", "everybody does it or feels that way".  I have come to a better understanding of this verse this week.  Not really a different understanding, but a better understanding.  We are called to make a choice, Not based on what anyone else (not even necessarily the majority) thinks or is doing but on Gods word.  Even if it is going on "everywhere" else, if it is wrong then we shouldn't be allowing it to go on with us.  We have become too accepting to things that are wrong & things against Gods word.  It's alright to take a stand & speak up. It's alright to say that's not right & it shouldn't be going on here.  It's alright to say as for me & my household were going to stand with God & His word.
    Joshua was saying that regardless of what anyone else was going to do, his decision had already been made.  We need to be saying the same thing.  Late night talk show hosts might use Christians as their joke material, media might try to marginalize Christians, & society might tell us we are to close minded but that shouldn't change our choice we've already made.
     If there is going to be a difference made, we need to stand up & speak up.  Out of love for everyone, we need to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves.  We need to share Christs love with those who feel unloved.  We need to make our choice.  The choice is not a hard one.  The reward of the right choice is eternal.  And the power that comes from our Lord & Savior can change lives, & hopeless situations.  The choice is up to you.