Decide

Featured ~ Lisa Brittain

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s time to ponder the new writing prompt from Kate, set the timer for 5 minutes, and type. Thank you for reading my words, liking and commenting, and finally, for sharing my post. I appreciate your encouragement. Read my whole post by clicking here.

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Immediately, two scripture verses pop to the front of my thoughts. (Yes, it’s because I’m a total Bible nerd, but that’s not the point.)

Perhaps you thought of these as well. From the Old Testament warrior, Joshua:

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And from Jesus:

““You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭67‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Joshua decided. He decided long before he ever made this speech to the people of Israel. For Joshua had served the Lord in the wilderness under the tutelage of Moses. Joshua and his fellow warrior, Caleb, were the only two of twelve spies who trusted God to deliver the land of milk, honey and giants into the hands of the Israelite people.

Knowing his life was coming to a close, Joshua offered everyone within the reach of his voice, a choice. He asked them to decide about their faith. He then drove a stake in the ground by stating in no uncertain terms that he had made a decision to serve the one true God – he and his household.

And for me this always begs the rhetorical question, “Can you really decide for your household?”

The path only gets more difficult and you don’t know how much farther. Do you turn around and go back?

And then I think of Jesus and the question He asked the twelve disciples on one particularly difficult day of ministry.

Did they, the twelve He had chosen, want to leave Him?

Christ’s teachings challenged the intellect of those who met in the synagogue. He had chosen the twelve who traveled daily with Him, witnessing His miracles and participating with Him in ministry. Crowds followed Jesus everywhere. They listened. They watched. They experienced Christ up close and personally, and still each one had to decide.

Did they believe Jesus was the Son of God come to earth in the flesh? Was He truly Messiah?

The context of John 6:67 is fascinating to read and I encourage you to go and read it for yourself. It was a hard teaching. I agree.

But my time is up. You’ll have to decide.

Eyes on Jesus and Shine?

Lisa

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am an avid follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received dramatic healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I was challenged to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by fearful actions. I received the challenge presented by both of my sons. They love me and so they dared to confront me with the truth. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then {more than a decade ago} to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. In my late 40's I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. I am a tentmaker {actually a reupholsterer} by day, which helps to support the call God has on my life to serve Him in my community. I thoroughly enjoy my work. Repairing and restoring throw-away furniture is a fulfilling creative outlet. More so, my Cheer House Repair and Restore business opens the door for me to interact with my community. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall so in love with Jesus through His word and conversation; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 30 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have two - grown young men on their own journeys. Additionally, we share our home with 3 lively rescue pups. I look forward to having you join me on this journey of faith... Bold feet, humble heart Psalm 131 ~ Lisa

11 thoughts on “Decide”

  1. The time is past to run away,
    place head in sand and try to hide.
    No, this is now your dancing-day,
    and on the stage you must decide
    if you’ll meekly bow your head
    to what pagans have demanded,
    or speak out in truth instead
    even if you are remanded
    to a place of cancellation,
    reputation dragged through mud,
    rejected without hesitation
    for living in the Saviour’s blood.
    Will you live for Jesus’ name,
    or fade away in lukewarm shame?

  2. Joshua and Caleb’s example to follow God – no matter what it looks like – is truly inspiring, Lisa!

  3. The most important decision. I love Joshua’s example of deciding to follow God and holding to that even when it was difficult.

  4. Joshua and Caleb are favorite examples of guys that courageously lived out their decision to serve the Lord. Visiting from FMF#12

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