Either Or
There is a quote by Carlos Castenada that my sister loved:
"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."
It's either misery or strength - the choice is yours.
Oof - I can think of far too many times I chose the path of misery.
Dang.
We have all developed patterns and habits that no longer serve us; we know that.
It's easy to say yes and do what we've always done, even if it's not the work we want to do.
We try to rationalize our decisions and foolishly tell ourselves it will be different this time.
The definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results.
Let's try a new way.
Before you say yes to the choice before you - take a breath and pause for a second.
Do you want to get hooked again by things or people that no longer fit who God destined you to be, only to start over again to get out of the mucky pit we worked so hard to step out of before?
Or do you want to say NO - NOT THIS TIME and choose the path of freedom?
The choice of either this or that is yours to make.
Before you take a step - ask yourself some questions:
Will the choice make you miserable, or will it make you stronger?
Will the choice bring you closer to God or farther away?
Will the choice take you forward or pull you back?
Will the choice lead you back to captivity or freedom?
Whatever the answer, God will be with you no matter your choice.
Let's choose something different this time and pick the path that brings strength and freedom.
It feels uncomfortable and scary - but also empowering and exhilarating.
Is that strength and power I feel building within?
YES!
That is the kind of work I would like to do - how about you?
Let's GOOOOOOOOOO!
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
Deuteronomy 30: 19-20
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Galatians 6: 7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life