February 7 - No choice but to choose
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
No choice but to choose
Immediately after being chosen as one of the deacons of the growing church, we pick up in chapter seven with Stephen preaching a pretty fiery message to the priests of the city. Beginning in Genesis, Stephen unpacked the story of God's redemption plan to the people of Israel. He asserted that the rebellious nature that had ignored the prophets had also ignored, and subsequently killed, the Messiah. Those assembled were outraged by his message. Rather than submitting to their conscience, they allowed the condition of their heart to dictate their response.
The Gospel of Jesus requires a choice. An active choice. We will not find ourselves accidentally following the plan of God. If you are living in the abundant blessings of God, you know the moments where you chose obedience over convenience or preference. Jesus had encounter after encounter with these religious leaders, and time and again they chose their pride and self-sufficiency over humility and submission to Christ. In this moment, they once again chose to reject the message.
Stephen's final days were days of choice. He had chosen to accept the responsibility that came with his calling. He had chosen to affirm the Lordship of Jesus in his life when it was called into question. In his final moments, he chose to speak truth even when it wasn't celebrated. Even unto death, Stephen chose to remain faithful.
The Kingdom of God advances when the people of God choose to be faithful. We make this choice over and over in our lives. You've not chosen to accept martyrdom for the sake of Jesus. You did, however, make a choice in submission to the Spirit. Even today, you've chosen how to spend your time. You've chosen how to steward your resources. In every area of our lives, we have no choice but to choose.
Like Stephen, life is not always going to reward us with comfort for making the right decisions, but God always keeps good records. In his last minutes, Stephen looks up and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He had an intercessor pleading for him, and Stephen breathes his last breath with visions of glory.
Stephen gave his life that day. He had no idea that the choice that he was making was about to set fire to the single greatest missionary the New Testament church has ever seen. No matter the choice in front of you today, when you commit it to God, he has a way of bringing the very best out of it.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
Reflect on the journey:
If you're facing a choice or decision in your faith-life today, think back to the times when God has proven Himself faithful in your life.
Through your prayer time today:
Take some time to pray that God would condition your heart to be indifferent to fleshly desires and to grow in you a heart that desires His will in your life.
