A Clear Choice

Friday - November 19th

Scripture to Read Today: Mark 8:34-38

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What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36

Over the years, I have watched different people make a choice about what they would pursue in life. Some choices were about education, career, where they would live, or who they would marry. Life is full of opportunities. All of us come to decision moments where we face a fork in the road. We ask ourselves which way we should go. Some decisions are relatively minor and have little effect on the overall direction of our lives. Others are much more consequential. But, decisions are a regular part of our lives.

As a pastor, I have coached many people through the various crossroads of life. I have even warned some that the choices they were making would lead down a path of trials and brokenness. Many heeded the warnings, but others blindly pursued what did eventually lead to deep pain and broken relationships.

As Jesus taught the multitudes who gathered around Him, he often reduced key life direction or pursuit to their simplicity, but most important forms. For all of us, he gives us a choice of a life of following Him and taking up our cross to do so or pursuing the wealth and fame of this world. In Mark 8:36, He quite clearly and concisely declared, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

In light of all eternity, the stuff of this world is here today and gone tomorrow. When we pursue a life of discipleship – a life of following Jesus, we make that our priority over fame and wealth. It doesn’t mean we won’t ever have fame or wealth as Christ’s followers, but it does mean that those things are secondary to what Christ has for us in our pursuit of Him. After all, what does it really accomplish if we gain the stuff of this temporary world, but end up missing the eternal life and joy God has for us?

Don’t settle for the fleeting stuff of this world when God offers you so much forever. The choice is clear! Pursue what will last for eternity!