Make the choice

I heard a story of a ship sinking in the middle of a storm, and the captain called out to the crew and said, "Does anyone here know how to pray?"

One man stepped forward and said, "Yes sir, I know how to pray."

The captain said, "Wonderful, you pray while the rest of us put on life jackets — we're one short."

Living a life of faith and priorities is not easy. It takes, well, faith, trust and obedience.

Moses was an example of growing faith. He refused to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin.

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:24-27)

Are you faced with choices that compromise your testimony for Christ? Your personal purity? Your financial or relational integrity? Your daily walk? What can you learn from the faith expressed by Moses?

Life is made up of decisions. Consciously or subconsciously, we make several hundred or more decisions every day, no wonder we feel at times so tired at the end of a day. Choices, options and preferences abound every which way you look!

Many times the greatest struggle in life is choosing the best over the good. Yep, I said the best over the good. One way to focus on the best is to identify our priorities. Having established our priorities, we are enabled to make the best choices.

Moses made some hard choices, but they reflected his personal priorities. He identified who he was – an Israelite and not an Egyptian. He accepted his personal responsibilities.

He did not blame others for his difficulties or take the "easy way" out. He valued the eternal more than the temporal. He made sacrifices, endured difficulties and persevered in the will of God. Moses refused to let obstacles and problems get him down, except on his knees to pray.

Establishing and maintaining priorities can be challenging. The “pleasures and treasures in Egypt” glistened ever so brightly. But Moses saw the reward, not the treasure, the reward of a living faith. Jesus said, Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto to you (Matthew 6:33).

Examine your life. Consider your priorities. Make the decision to choose God’s best by faith! The first priority must be accepting Christ into your life. All other priorities must flow from that single decision. Choose Christ and led Him rule and be Lord of your life. Remember: “God gives his best to those who leave the choice to him”