Choose well.

The world we live in is a beautiful creation. Everything we are tempted by, wanting to have, to be, to do is something good when it stands on it's own. "Pleasure, money, power, and safety are all, as far as they go, good things. The badness consists in pursuing them by the wrong method, or in the wrong way, or too much." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

Of course we are tempted by these things that look good. God made everything and said it was good, right? (Gen. 1:31) And God puts parameters on when/how/why we use them instead of being controlled by them. These parameters are spelled out in His word, the Bible. We often get hung up on the rules and try to not break them, which of course we then do anyways. When the focus of our heart is on performance instead of the love relationship we have with Jesus, it's nearly impossible to be well.

But when the focus of my heart is Christ and He helps me understand WHY the rules exist, it makes following them something I want to do instead of feeling like I have to do. God gives us rules to help us live a peaceful life. They are for our protection and well-being. When we steal, gossip, commit murder, or lust after someone we shouldn't, we rob ourselves of peace. Following His guidelines gives us life and freedom!

He says He'll never put anything heavy or ill-fitting on us. That by walking with Him we can learn to live freely and lightly (Matthew 11:28-30). If you ask people whether they believe that is true of God, my guess is they'll say no. Some see God as the harsh rule-maker in the sky, enjoying setting the bar high and watching us fail. Perhaps they haven't walked with Him and allowed Him to show them how freely and lightly they can live by following His teachings.

The example that helps me best understand the heart behind the rules is in regards to sex before marriage. When we're young we're simply taught not to. God says no. But as I've grown up I am able to understand why. Is there anything more beautiful and like Jesus than putting another before your own pleasure? Honoring someone else above yourself? "I'm not going to do that because he/she is too important to me to use in a way that will give me temporary happiness but cause them lasting trouble." There are risky emotional and physical consequences of being intimate with someone that is not your spouse. The devil takes something that is a good thing that God created- sex- and helps us diminish the importance of using it God's way. The beauty in complete purity going into a marriage is purposed by God for a reason. And when we follow His words, we are the ones who receive great joy; we are the ones who benefit.

Of course sometimes they seem like unreachable standards. I depend on Him every hour when dealing with certain struggles. (Actually when dealing with everything...!) I can't be holy or perfect on my own. But it helps me to lean into God and want to choose well when I understand the reasons He directs me in certain ways.

He's always in our corner. He's always on our side. He wants the best for us. He will work all things for our good (Romans 8:28) but that doesn't mean He can wipe out all the consequences we have to experience based on our choices. Our past does affect our future. We are forgiven, but retain the scars of wounds self-afflicted.

Let's choose well. The days are short, too short to choose to wear heavy, ill-fitting stuff when the God of all creation wants us to live the kingdom life now, freely and lightly.