In Fine Fettle Readers, did you miss me!?
I missed you.
Today on the blog we are talking choices… because the choices that we make today will eventually become the past that will also make up our future.
Ponder that for a few seconds, reread it even if you have to… I want you guys to really understand just how important the choices we make today affect our lives.
Whether it’s choices about the relationship you are in or how you treat yourself when you’re not in a relationship. Whether you’re choosing how to treat your body, what you watch on TV, what you fill your mind with, how you choose to speak, what you wear, eat, or maybe where the heck you’re going post graduation… choices are all around us. They cannot be avoided.
I have struggled a little bit these past couple months over a word we know simply as, free-will.
This thing we call free-will, freedom to do whatever we want… well sometimes it feels like a blessing and other times it feels like a curse.
I’m not going to go into a lot of detail; however, some of you may know that a couple months back I decided to take a step back in my relationship.
I know I don’t have to tell any of you this but I will anyway, breakups are never easy. However, I continue thanking God because He has continued to bless me and develop my character even through the hard times.
You know that quote that says, “When you’re going through hardship and wonder where God is at, remember, the teacher is always silent during the test.”
Ya, well let’s just say this is a lesson God has continued helping me learn and understand these past couple of months. Truthfully, it’s probably safe to say for this past year.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13
Sometimes it is a decision between two kingdoms, the kingdom or God/Heaven or the kingdom of Hell/the devil. Whether we are deciding between acts of the flesh or the fruits of the spirit.
This may sound confusing if you haven’t ever experienced it but I believe sometimes we simply are deciding between two “rights.”
Whatever the situation, when we feel we are at a crossroad, I learned that God doesn’t always have to give us clear insight on what to do because He simply gave us the option to CHOOSE.
For we live by faith, not by sight… so we make it our goal to PLEASE HIM… for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:7-10
Sometimes we must walk by faith and not by sight… which, I am sure some of you are reading over that but it’s hard to understand what that even means. I get it, which is why I want to head to Hebrews 11 next.
Hebrews 11: Faith in Action
Now faith is CONFIDENCE in what we HOPE for and ASSURANCE about what we do not see… by faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command… and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:1-6
Each one of us are on a journey with Christ, all at different spots, going different paces. Sometimes when we peer into the future and try to plan for every possibility we ignore our one companion who is constant and sustains us moment by moment.
Sometimes we must let our mind take a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen and instead pray the God will take care of the details and bless you along the way.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, PRAY CONTINUALLY, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
I admit that I wrestled with the decision to stay or to move on from my relationship for a while. I continued praying about it; however, I still never heard God tell me exactly what to do… that’s when I knew it came down to just making a decision and sticking to it.
Before making decisions though, whether big or small, I want to challenge you to ask yourself these 4 questions. The same 4 questions that I asked myself and that I feel helped keep my motives in check.
- Am I acting in the flesh (sexual morality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, distraction, fractions, envy, drunkenness) OR am I acting in the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
- Am I PLEASING God in this decision?
- Am I striving to do what is good for everyone else in this decision?
- Finally, have I and will I continually pray about this decision?
I am not saying by doing even these 4 steps that you will make all the “right” choices though, free from mistakes because you wont.
Listen to me, we cannot do good on our own. No matter how hard you try, I try, no matter the desires you have to do good… we CANNOT carry it out. (Romans 7:14-25)
Every hour of every day we must remain disciplined to search for God and never lose sight of His presence with us because we are simply born a sinner.
It is not something we are to be discouraged from though. God did this to allow us to remain DEPENDENT on Him to guide us, lead us.
So finally, I challenge you to keep short accounts with God. My hope is that you don’t just do this today; however, you practice this every day and one day it may even become habit.
USEFUL TRICK: set a timer at certain hours of the day (7, 12, 3, 6) to offer up a prayer to your Father and keep remembrance of Him.
John Piper describes true freedom best by saying: “You are fully free when you have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will leave you with no regrets forever.”
In Fine Fettle readers, I appreciate your time and for the read. I do this for YOU and I pray these words have inspired you to choose differently today.
Until next time.
xoxo
Claire Idelle ♡
#LivingInFineFettle
InFineFettle 