Any one of us can look around and recognize the vast collection of blessings that allow humans to live and function on planet earth. From the delicate balance of tolerable temperatures to the seasonal changes that fuel the growth cycles of crops that feed us. From the unlimited supply of water distributed by rainfall to the perfect combination of gases that form our breathable atmosphere.
The winds, the ocean currents, the cycle of night and day – it’s all part of the amazing mix of elements that make up our world and allow us to survive. It is all part of the potpourri of gifts we have received from our Creator.
But we easily lose sight of the greatest gift of all – Free Will.
In a life where we routinely make our own decisions – good or bad – we fail to appreciate the fact that a loving God has created us with the ability to direct our daily life.
Certainly, God could have created a race of robotic beings that followed orders and behaved in a predictable fashion. He could have created beings that knew Him and worshipped Him without fail.
He didn’t.
The Bible states that God created mankind in His own image. It’s a pretty good guess that this doesn’t mean an entity with two arms, two legs and a full head of grey hair and a long, flowing beard. It’s a better interpretation to see that statement as an entity that is self-aware and capable of making judgements and decisions on its own.
Surely, we can view the Bible as God’s user manual for mankind, but, allowing mankind to choose whether or not to follow those rules is key to the final relationship between man and God. Perhaps God derives some of his power from the volume of people who voluntarily chose to embrace a relationship with Him.
If we reflect on our earthly political and cultural differences, we can easily identify the differences between cultures where the populace is forced to adhere to specific doctrines versus cultures where people are free to make their own decisions. Clearly, those who are free to chose their own path value that freedom. Even those who are trapped in a repressive culture still have the ability to accept or reject that culture and suffer the consequences of their choice.
As valuable as it is, God’s gift of free will isn’t exactly free. We each pay the price of that gift in receiving the consequences of our choices. Many times, the choices aren’t easy. Many times, the easy choice is the wrong choice.
The Bible provides guidance in making the right choices so that we might reap the benefits of making those choices.
Make the right choice.