Choose to Live Today

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NLT)


When I’m eighty years old, I don’t want to look back with regret at poor choices that I made. And as bad as that would be, it would be even worse to look back at missed opportunities because I didn’t make a choice at all. I want to live life pro-actively and live a story that reflects the great God that I claim to serve. I could get depressed over the life that I have already used not very pro-actively but the above verse’s first word is “today.” The passage concentrates on the present and looks forward to possibilities.

I have been steadily working on a jogging routine or rather a jog/walk routine. I started off walking more than I jogged but now I’m usually jogging a bit more than I walk. Going forward with any goal in life is like that – begin with baby steps and keep plugging along. Just beginning a project that I’ve long procrastinated on is an accomplishment. Then finishing can be a reward in itself and a push to start another project.

Perfection is never my goal – progress is. Making little steps of progress keeps me moving forward. Perfection paralyzes. If I feel like I have to be perfect, I’m always halted before I even begin. Concentrating on perfection leaves me consumed with the results I may or may not get. God wants me to be faithful and obedient and leave the results to Him.