Everyone Has a Choice

Written by Jason Haines

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” -Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

I know this one is hard for everyone. It was hard for me for many years and most of the time I made the wrong choices in life. As I have said before though I wasn’t a complete butthole, but I did make a lot of bad choices over the years. Some that didn’t hurt, but many that affected the way I was seen and affected what I became. None the less I made many choices over the years that may make me regret what I had decided, but I cannot live in the past and let them affect me. All we can do is make sure that we make better choices in the future and hope they will be the best to push us forward.

God never said that our life would be easy, and it may never become easier, but if we make the right choices, we can be more assured that our future will be better. What exactly does that vague statement really mean? Well, it means this, if we learn to live in a way that is better, such as work hard, have a moral compass, and as I did follow other leaders and the bible, our path will be easier. Why is that? Because God will take up our yoke with us and help us because we have faith in him. I know I have people who think I am weird for the field I have decided to take up, but I wanted to pay forward the word of the Lord the best way I could, and I felt that was through Lean. The way of the Lord and Lean mimic each other so greatly that the message makes me want to do so much better for all. This was my choice to bring a better future along the choice of the narrow path so maybe one day I could enter the wide gate.

I know I came to Christ because I was lost, and I was around many lost people as well. I also knew that I wanted to change, but at first, I didn’t realize changing would lead me to God. I though I was to far gone for God to want me to follow him, but then I picked up the bible and started to read the verses. As I read it more, the more I heard words that reminded me of forgiveness and greatness. I had read many leadership books and heard these same words, and these were the words I wanted to live by. Being a fisher of men and living by the golden rule of treating others as I wanted to be treated. I really believe this now, I always thought it before, but now I realize treating others great opens up so many doors.

I leave today with the song lyrics from George Jones song, Choices, which reminds me of my past and the current state of another loved one of mine is living through today.

I've had choices

Since the day that I was born

There were voices

That told me right from wrong

If I had listened

No, I wouldn't be here today

Living and dying

With the choices I made

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I was tempted

By an early age I found

I liked drinkin'

Oh and I never turned it down

There were loved ones

But I turned them all away

Now I'm living and dying

With the choices I made

?I do not write these stories for anything other than to invite you to church with me and see the world from a different view. Regardless of whether we are in the same area or not, I invite you to church to maybe see things in a different light

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