Choosing What's Best

The Bible is filled with examples of those who chose what was right or best over the easier path. Joseph chose not to succumb to Potiphar's wife's temptations, and he ended up in prison (Genesis 39). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose not to bow to King Nebuchandnezzar's god and ended up in a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). When Daniel refused to stop praying to God for 30 days, he was thrown into a lion's den (Daniel 6), and these are only three of many.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).

There are also many modern examples. Here's one:

Eric Linddell was a Scottish missionary, who also happened to be a talented athlete. He'd trained to run for Great Britain in the 100-meter race in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. However, when he checked in, he discovered that the heats for his race were to be run on Sunday, and he saw that as the Lord's Day. His sister had already tried to discourage him from postponing his mission work in China until after the games. He had answered her, "Jenny, God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." 

Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 1:3).

Still feeling that he needed to honor God and not run on Sunday, Eric signed in for the 400-meter race instead, since its heats would be run on Monday. He not only won the final race, but he broke the old record by turning in a time of 47.9 seconds. As with Joseph; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and Daniel, Eric followed God, even when things looked bleak for him if he did, and everything worked out in the end. In 1981, an award winning movie was released on Eric Linddell's life. You may have heard of Chariots of Fire. And, Eric went on to become a noted missionary to China.

The God who knows the whole story can be trusted with all the days that fill its pages, but it's always tempting to pick up the pen ourselves (Bo Stern, Beautiful Battlefields. Kindle loc. 400-401).

We can rationalize not choosing the best course when the consequences look defeating or threatening. But let's promise ourselves to always honor God by choosing the very best course, the one that glorifies Him. 

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 20:7).

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