Starting thought: Did you make the choice because you had to, or because you wanted to?
This one has been on my mind in part because I had to get a new vehicle. Not necessarily the one I got, but my old vehicle was no longer an option. At least according to common sense, my insurance, and general opinion. After a decade together, I had no plans to let go of my beloved car and had even begun to contemplate (not seriously ask anybody but definitely contemplate) if I could just put a new engine in the car I loved. Until that option was removed from the list of viable choices. Something about you’d have to pry the keys out of my hands when I am gone?
This got me thinking about responding to Christ’s call in our lives. Some people seem to ignore God at every turn and stumble along in life, ignoring common sense and wisdom. Other folks seem to force their way forward, even if they are hammering a square peg into a round hole because it is what they want and they are going to have it, no matter what. Others still seem to move through life with ease, no matter what may come.
With my vehicle, I made the choice because I had to, not because I wanted to. Do I feel the same way about answering God’s call in my life? The ways in which God asks me to be transformed by the love of Christ? No. But why is that? Simply put it is because we are never forced into our faith. I am grateful to live in a time and place where the aggression related to “believe in my God, my way, or die” has lessened. It is still around (and even more vitriolic than it once was) but it has changed too. Faith is a gift from God and we choose to follow. We do it because we want to, not because we are obligated or coerced or otherwise forced into believing. What a joy it is to follow Jesus.