You may have this common passage from the book of Joshua hanging on your wall, stitched on a pillow, or even on your Facebook page. Most people think of it as a choice.
But have you ever put something else before God? Has there ever been a time in your life where you’ve promised to serve God and then wandered?
It really isn’t a choice. Otherwise, it would be like picking between our favorite food and our least favorite…the choice every time would be God.
Rather, we live in response.
When we think about what God has done for us, all God has provided. When we remember that no matter what we do or don’t do, God pursues us and claims us and loves us. When we understand God’s grace and faithfulness, even when we turn away. When God calls us beloved. When all of this is laid before us, then we have no choice…we live in response to God’s claim on our lives.
Each day we live in response to that claim. By serving. By giving. By worshipping. By praying.
And yet, sometimes we forget. By Tuesday, we may have forgotten what we were reminded of on Sunday.
Adam Hamilton wrote this prayer and hangs it in his shower so that he can be reminded daily:
Lord, as I enter the water to bathe I remember my baptism. Wash me by your grace. Fill me with your spirit. Renew my soul. I pray that I might live as your child today and honor you in all I do.
We need these daily reminders to remember God’s presence in our lives so that we will respond.