At a crossroads? Choose Christ
You may ask: “Who do I choose? Jesus or comfort? Family or destiny? When the storm comes and challenges me to showcase my professed love, do I crumble or magnify the Lord? When my faith is tested, do I run away or stand firm?”
Perhaps Esther said it best: “If I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)
However, before uttering these famous words, she wavered in her determination to remain loyal to God and experienced a moment of doubt. Insecurity crept in, and terror whispered the lie that she’d lose the comfort her life afforded. Esther considered her present circumstances more valuable than the joy set before her.
Like Mordecai, the Holy Spirit reminds us that when we don’t act, God creates another way to accomplish His will while we lose out on the blessing and perish. If we misplace our hearts, we forfeit encounters with the living God and moments of exuberant joy. Nevertheless, if we listen attentively, He calls our attention and sets us free.
“Come and see, consider and live,” the Master says.
Let’s Begin with the Heart
Whatever we value most in life, influences, and determines the course of action we pursue, consuming our thoughts. Because of this, we’re commanded to guard our hearts with all diligence since the issues of life spring from it (see Proverbs 4:23) and the place where we deposit our treasure is the spot where our hearts will sojourn (see Matthew 6:21).
Jesus said to choose carefully and not store earthly possessions (see Matthew 6:19). Why? Moth and rust corrupt them, leaving us empty and destitute, searching for more. Thieves steal, destroying what we considered worthy of our affection. Instead, the Master counseled us to store our wealth in Heaven, where it’s secure, and thieves cannot take from us (see Matthew 6:20).
What did He mean by “treasure?”
The Lord answered the question talking about the light of the body; the eye (see Matthew 6:22-23). He instructed us to question if we have light or darkness. Do we think we have light, or is immense darkness obscuring our vision?
How Do We Discover What’s Inside Us?
We look to the word of God since “it is alive and active, and sharper than a two-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Jesus reminded us that no person could serve two supreme authorities (see Matthew 6:24) and gave us these options:
- Follow one and neglect the other.
- Love one and hate the other.
- Adhere and hold tightly to one and despise, think against the other.
- Serve God or serve mammon (wealth/satan).
No person or circumstance can be above Christ, and our decision will reveal the location of the heart. Do we rest securely in Him and only in Him? Or are we like Esther, valuing comfort over the unknown with Jesus?
A Moment of Reflection
Jesus said, “the kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, the which when a man has found, he hides, and goes and sells all that he possesses, and buys that field (Matthew 13:44).
The beauty of the story lies in the fact that the man relinquished everything he thought essential to his happiness so could he freely enjoy the treasure. He found it worthy of that and more. Likewise, once we have laid aside the wickedness of the flesh, choosing Christ as ours, we find joy and freedom.
Words only matter if they are followed by actions, and the example of a merchant searching for goodly pearls embodies the journey a person will take when earnestly seeking Christ:
“Heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly, rare pearls. When he discovers the one, very precious and exquisite pearl, of great price, he sells all he has in exchange for it.” (Matthew 13:45-46)
A Call to Choose Wisely
Who is our pearl of great price? The only one worthy of such a title is Jesus of Nazareth, who became human, and embraced the cross for the joy set before Him (see Hebrews 12:2). He accepted our punishment, succored us in our darkest night, and liberated us from sin, hell, death, and the grave (see Hosea 13:14).
So, when the Master asks us to follow Him, are we willing to arise and journey with Him?
In the end, the choice is ours. God sets before us life and death and pleads with us to choose life (see Deuteronomy 30:19). Will we listen to the Voice of Truth?
Dear Esthers: It’s time to choose Him.