It was my last chance, so I knew it had to count.
When the evening came to an end, so would our time together. We would each be launching out to new places, welcoming new opportunities, beginning new chapters in the book of life.
But, for now. They were mine.
I walked up to the podium. As my eyes made their way through the crowd, I prayed. I prayed for Moms and Dads, faculty members, the entire student body, and, of course, for the 8th graders, sporting caps and gowns, overwhelmed with excitement.
Each one, precious to my heart. Each one, precious to God's heart.
"Lord, give me YOUR words and make. them. count."
My commencement address was entitled, "Choices". When it comes right down to it, this is the sum of life.
Blessings or curses.
Good or evil.
Life or death.
And, as Proverbs 9 points out,
wisdom: the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight *
or
folly: a costly and foolish undertaking *
The choice is ours.
After all, we are the ones in charge of our destiny. We are the ones who have been given the gift of free will.
God has placed before us His Word to teach us.
He has placed within us His precious Holy Spirit to guide us.
He has placed before us the way of wisdom to lead us.
But, He has also placed within us the ability to choose.
"Today, what will YOU choose?"
It is the question I asked that evening, and it is the question I ask today.
Wisdom or folly?
Good or evil?
Blessings or curses?
Life or death?
After all,
This is your life.
You can spend it anyway you want.
But, you can only spend it once.
Choose wisdom
Choose good.
Choose blessings
Choose life!
Choose God~
Choose to Make. It. Count.
"Lord, these are YOUR words, make. them. count."
* Dictionary.com
When the evening came to an end, so would our time together. We would each be launching out to new places, welcoming new opportunities, beginning new chapters in the book of life.
But, for now. They were mine.
I walked up to the podium. As my eyes made their way through the crowd, I prayed. I prayed for Moms and Dads, faculty members, the entire student body, and, of course, for the 8th graders, sporting caps and gowns, overwhelmed with excitement.
Each one, precious to my heart. Each one, precious to God's heart.
"Lord, give me YOUR words and make. them. count."
My commencement address was entitled, "Choices". When it comes right down to it, this is the sum of life.
Blessings or curses.
Good or evil.
Life or death.
And, as Proverbs 9 points out,
wisdom: the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight *
or
folly: a costly and foolish undertaking *
The choice is ours.
After all, we are the ones in charge of our destiny. We are the ones who have been given the gift of free will.
God has placed before us His Word to teach us.
He has placed within us His precious Holy Spirit to guide us.
He has placed before us the way of wisdom to lead us.
But, He has also placed within us the ability to choose.
"Today, what will YOU choose?"
It is the question I asked that evening, and it is the question I ask today.
Wisdom or folly?
Good or evil?
Blessings or curses?
Life or death?
After all,
This is your life.
You can spend it anyway you want.
But, you can only spend it once.
Choose wisdom
Choose good.
Choose blessings
Choose life!
Choose God~
Choose to Make. It. Count.
"Lord, these are YOUR words, make. them. count."
* Dictionary.com
Hi Stacy - lovely encouraging post. God has given us free will and its not so easy sometimes to make right choices, but there is enough guidance in His word to lean on to start figuring out the good from the bad, etc. Again, lovely post
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Yes, Lord...make them count. I'm glad, friend, that you've made your words count. They. Do.
ReplyDeleteOne of the posts I wrote today for next week is "Choose Well." Guess this is my confirmation. xoxo