I recently heard the following words in my spirit, “Life is a choice; choose you this day whom you will serve.” The phrase “choose you this day whom you will serve” reminded me of Joshua 24:15. In this verse, we are reminded that we have a choice in who we serve.

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)

But what do the words “life is a choice” mean? A quick Google search revealed that the phrase “life is a choice” generally implies that people are responsible for shaping the course of their lives. Our decisions have consequences, whether positive or negative.

This reminds me of a parable of Jesus in Matthew 12:33-37, which describes how trees are known by their fruit. In the Passion translation, the second half of verse 34 reads, “How can your words be good if you are rotten within? For what has been stored up in your hearts will be heard in the overflow of your words!” Other translations read, “how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” In fact, Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that life and death are in the power of the tongue and that we will eat the fruit of our lips.

Our words are creative! Our words have the ability to produce positive or negative outcomes in our lives.

I’ve heard it said that if you squeeze an orange, you get orange juice. But what flows out of you when you get squeezed? If I’m being honest, I don’t always produce good fruit. When I get “squeezed” by the challenges of life, I don’t always release positive and life-giving words out of my mouth. If you were to take a moment and reflect on your word choices over the past week or so, I imagine that you might also be able to think of times when you didn’t choose to speak life. This isn’t meant to condemn us but to challenge us. For those of us who want to become more like Jesus, we must pursue holiness in every facet of our lives. A part of that pursuit should include applying a God-shaped filter to our mouths. 

It’s been said that what triggers you reveals you. Our emotional triggers, the things that cause strong, negative reactions from us, often point to unresolved issues or past traumas. And understanding our triggers can provide valuable insights to support our inner healing, but we must choose the path of healing.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, blood-borne oxygen is a requirement for healing. Spiritually, God breathed His breath into our lungs; our breath is His breath. And the blood… His blood flows through our veins, and His Son, Jesus, shed His blood to cleanse and redeem us. Jesus’ blood covers a multitude of sins. His blood and breath (the breath of life; breath of His presence and glory) are what bring healing.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:20-27 (NIV)

In Proverbs 4:20-27, we find keys to a successful and peaceful life:

1. Guard your heart (soul). Your soul is the essence of your being and consists of your mind, your will, and your emotions. According to cognitive behavioral therapy, our thoughts impact our feelings, which impact our actions. The things that we allow to persist in our souls will impact the fruit that we produce in our lives.
2. Watch what you say – life and death are in the power of the tongue. But how can you be mindful of the words that you choose unless your soul is grounded in the truth?
3. Fix your eyes on The Truth! Fixing your eyes on the truth includes reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God, and choosing to take on a Heavenly perspective in every aspect of your life.

Life is a choice. Choose you this day whom you will serve.

Will you choose to serve the One who’s breath and blood bring freedom, healing, wholeness, and life? Or will you choose to live for yourself?

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

Life is a choice. Choose you this day whom you will serve.

Listen: “You and You Alone” by UPPERROOM and Cody Lee