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Greetings!
I'm getting the first of these emails out, finally! There was more to it than I had thought. If you have suggestions as to how to improve them, or just general comments, feel free to email me. I hope you benefit from your reading! - Sheldon Swartz
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Choices
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 "Choose life, so that you will live." Deut. 30:19
Does this seem true: "I have chosen the life I have." Does it really seem true that you have the life you have chosen?
We may rebel at the assertion that we have chosen the life we have since we don't have control over much that happens to us. The conditions of our birth, our genetic makeup, the choices of others that affect us, etc., we did not choose! In fact, it becomes apparent that we actually don't have any choice at all over some very important things that have a huge impact on us!
So, are we true victims, unable to affect anything significant by our choices? What did God mean when through Moses he clearly pointed out that there are two sets of choices that the Israelites could make - one set leading to death and the other to life? God obviously believed our choices are a life and death issue! (And God oughta know!)
By now you know that not much of your true happiness has anything to do with your circumstances or with what happens to you. Your responses to life as it comes to you determine whether you "live" or "die".
It seems unfortunate that our natural inclinations are to want to live without making the choices that lead to such. Confessions: I want to be healthy and eat what I want and exercise if and whenever I want to. I want healthy relationships without investing in them. I want a vital relationship with God without taking the time and space to get to know Him and His will. I'd like to engage in lustful sexual activity and have a relationship with Velma where we both feel valued and respected. And on and on - you know what I mean and where it is like that for you.
How conscious are you of the long-term impact of the choices you make? Do you long for LIFE enough to forgo the attractive substitutes and immediate pleasure they offer?
Check out some possibilities of LIFE choices to make and death choices to avoid below.
Today's possible "death" choices:
1) Indulge lust in some form - food, sex, power
2) Try to impress others
3. Compare yourself with others
Today's possible "LIFE" choices:
1. Take at least a few minutes at the beginning of your day to find your center.
2. Be aware of how little it takes to bring simple pleasures into the world of others.
3. Let a person know today how they matter to you.
Can you choose to have a good day?
"God, I think I want You to help me be more aware today of the wonderful freedom of choice that you have given me."
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Sheldon Swartz, M.A, LMFT works with individuals, couples, and families to identify the ways of life and death in their lives and help uncover the motivation to choose that which leads to life, whether it be through counseling or spiritual direction.
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