Everyday we make choices. Some are good. Some not so much. Some are important. Some not so much. Some are easy. Some not so much. Tonight, the Bible opened to Joshua:
“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:14-15
I have heard the last line before, but never read the context surrounding it before. What suddenly struck me tonight, was the choice. Joshua tells the Israelites to make a choice. If they are going to serve the Lord, then serve Him, commit to it and make a covenant to do so. Seems like an easy choice. What really strikes me in this passage is Joshua’s statement: if it is displeasing to you to serve the Lord, choose whom you will serve. I am struck by a statement that seems to make no sense: how could serving the Lord be displeasing? It might not always be easy, but displeasing? No way! I cannot think of anything displeasing about serving God. And yet, I do not always serve Him. Laziness, taking the easy way, following the crowd, lots of excuses. But no good reason. Maybe, it is because I have not affirmatively made the choice. I have not committed or made a covenant or promise. I have just gone about life. Choose, Joshua says. As for him and what he can control, he will serve the Lord. He encourages the Israelites to do the same, but ultimately it is their choice. Just like it is our choice.
God,
I choose to serve you.
Sufficient Grace 
I agree with you. I think though, that some serving first looks displeasing. For instance, cleaning up the mess of a sick person. I consider myself a caretaker on a very small level as I find it easy and pleasing to help my children when they are sick. But on what I consider a larger scale such as carring for elderly and their “messes”, I marvel at the nursing home nurses and aids who do this every day for strangers! However, I have been put into the position somewhat forced upon me to do just this. Not pleasing at all. But after I finished, washed my hands and relaxed, I received numerous graces from God in the forms of humility, patience, compassion, empathy, prudence, humbling, love, and even peace. It turned out to be one of the most pleasing services I have ever done. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t hear the calling to ever do this again but if I ever am called upon to tackle a displeasing service again, I pray I remember this to help me have the strength to answer the call to serve the Lord over serving myself, the TV, dining out, or whatever looks pleasing at the time.
Dear Lord, thank you for letting me serve you. Thank you for the many graces you have blessed upon me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to allow You to use my eyes and hands to serve and please you. Although I am hesitant in asking, please put more opportunities along my path to serve you again, whether it be small (preferably!) or large, it’s You I choose to serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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