Sunday, January 6, 2013

If I Had A Choice

Growing up I had several routes I could take to get to grammar school. The route I chose usually depended on how “nimble” I was feeling that morning. A straight shot to St. Killian was quick and I enjoyed walking past the store fronts on 87th street. This route left me vulnerable to guys that were tougher than me and who knew where I hid my lunch money. Hopping the freight train was quick but dangerous, and I still had to contend with the neighborhood when I hopped off. I could use my lunch money to catch public transportation but be hungry all day. Oddly neither of these choices ever caused me to miss a day of school in eight years. So my choice was always based on the consequences I was in the mood to endure. It is not the choices; it is the consequences of the choice that we must consider.

Consider this: The holy trinity having a sit down and deciding on how to bridge the gap between them and man. This was a gap that had existed for 400 man years (just a few days for them). There was only one way to truly bridge the gap. A sacrifice had to be made. Would the first fruit from the fall harvest do? Would the fatted calf do? How about the first 10th of their wages? They spoke in unison; “all of these are mine already. Neither will do. Jesus, this one is on you. You will have to be clothed in human flesh and endure all that is common to it. You will also be mocked and scorn even though you are without sin. All the while we need you to teach folks with severe spiritual learning disabilities. On top of that you will have to endure the most brutal death know to them. After that, you can do your thing and come back home.”

The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit made a choice based on their love for us in spite of the sacrifice Jesus would make on our behalf. The heavenly hosts rejoiced this decision\choice. This choice would allow us to go home after these carbon based bodies will no longer hold water. This past Christmas season was based on a choice that was made in heaven. How will you consider the choices that you make this new year? Those choices that put you at the foot of the Father will bring about consequences that will be rejoiced in heaven.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14

Lord God my Father, thank you for loving me enough to choose to send your son to live and ultimately die for my bad choices. Thank you for being God and God all by yourself. My prayer is that I consider your choice as I make mine. I seek to grow closer to you this year and get to know you better through prayer and studying your word. All the glory and honor you are due for the grace and mercy you have shown towards me. In 2013 I choose to show myself approved… Amen

Glad the Tomb is Empty
Lance C. Peeler