Life is full of decisions, from what to wear or eat, to where to live and work. Some decisions are important, some more trivial. Some have no real consequences, others can change the course of our lives. Some we can muddle through as we go along, responding to situations; some are much more fundamental, and need thought, consideration and planning.
The tribes of Israel have arrived in The Promised Land, and Joshua reminds them that NOW they have an important decision to make. They have been wandering around the desert, led by God. Now they are in a new land, and they have to decide if they will follow God’s ways, or the ways of the land they live in. “Decide today”, Joshua says, for this will be the foundation of their life in this new country. This is an absolutely crucial decision.
Joshua is clear – he and his family will be serving God. The people are also quite clear, they recall what God has done for them, the miracles he has performed and that he has kept them safe in all the situations they have passed through – they too decide to serve the Lord – he is their God.
Jesus too gives this choice to his followers. He has heard the grumbles. His way was difficult to understand. Some have gone. So he asks the disciples point blank if they are going to leave him. Their response – how could we, you have the words of eternal life, there is no one else. They’ve made their choice.
God gives that choice to each one of us – to follow him and his ways, or not. That is a fundamental decision in our lives. Are we going to anchor ourselves in his ways, are we going to serve him, or are we going to go some other way? It’s a choice we need to make, for it informs every other part of our life.
Decide today who you will serve, which way you will go, who will be your God?
