Choosing His ways

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23a The Message

Over the past couple of days we have been reminded again of how living God's way is always the best choice we can make. As Ken and I have had the opportunity to talk to people about our journey with Victoria there have been questions like, 'where does your strength come from?' and 'how can you be so positive?' For us there is only one answer - our faith. Our faith in a God who loves us, gives us strength and provides all our needs. A God who gives us hope each day. A God that we have seen work things together for good in our lives, even when our faith has wavered.

This scripture above so well describes all that God continues to do in us as we chose to live His way .... Affection for others when you don't think circumstances will ever allow that again. An exuberance about life, sometimes small, sometimes great, regardless of what is going on. It is an exuberance birthed out of faith and hope. A serenity that allows you to sleep at night when almost everything in your life is seemingly falling apart - but really it is being broken only to be re-built to enable you to see life more and more through God's eyes. A willingness to not give up, but to stick with what God has given you and wait and see what He will do.

But me, I'm not giving up.

I'm sticking around to see what God will do.

I'm waiting for God to make things right.

I'm counting on God to listen to me.

Micah 7:7 The Message

As we experience pain for a variety of reasons we have grown both in compassion for others and our desire to help as God leads us. We see that people are hurting and in turn hurt. We ask God what we can do to help. All these things happen when we choose to live God's way. 

We have an opportunity every day as we read God's word to learn more and more about how to live His way. 

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Message

Putting it down in black and white, God clearly shows us the choices He wants us to make. We have free will. It is up to us to choose His ways, and they are not always the easy ways, but they are always the best ways.

Question for today, is there an area in your life in which you are struggling to choose to follow God's ways? Why not ask Him right now to help you, to show you why this is a struggle, and what you need to do to move forward. 

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. Colossians 1:9 The Message