It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
- Tony Robbins
Knowingly or not, many today function on "choice overload." We are truly blest to have been given so much. The flip side is two fold. First, there's a real temptation to choose quickly. Shooting from the hip, the motto of many is, "fire, set, aim." Missing the mark, the literally meaning of one form of sin mentioned in the Bible, can become a real problem depending on the situation.
Secondly, Jesus warns "to whom much is given much is required." For these reasons it's important to think long and hard about out our important decisions accurately discerning the wisdom from above verse the wisdom from below.
The Matrix Trilogy was one of the greatest allegories of all time. Near the beginning of the first movie Neo, played stunningly by Keanu Reeves, is stunned to find out that all he knows of life is a facade. While always feeling isolated and sensing something was off, he had never imagined the reality in which he lived, moved and had his being was really a matrix or artificially controlled environment serving a devilish purpose.
His eyes are opened by Morpheus, played equally well by Laurence Fishburne, an recruiter from Zion, the last outpost of truth. As Neo's evangelist, Morpheus explains that all of humanity is asleep and being used by a master race. He offers Neo one of two choices summed up succinctly in the following lines from the powerful scene:
- "You take the Blue Pill and the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the Red Pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."
Like Neo, we too have a choice between denying the revealed truth of scripture or investigating the Bible's claims. Some feel certain simply choosing to believe in Christ is all the Red Pill needed. Truth is we continually choose to what extent we are willing to see and to respond to our desperate situation. Many stick with the Blue Pill, wishing to remain undisturbed by the truth. Others hope to mix Red and Blue, allowing just enough religious truth so as not to spoil the fun. The Apostle Paul strictly warned against placebos:
- "Don't let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don't even hang around people like that. You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." Ephesians 5:6-17 The Message
Compelled by Truth
Reality, when faced head on, can be a powerful motivator. At this point in the journey of seeking and serving God we've faced the truth of our need for faith, prayer and study. We've been moved to action, battled temptation and received some form of personal revelation. Enduring resistance we been encouraged to recalculate the true cost of discipleship and now make an informed decision to continue on, stay put or turn back.
While we have far to go before completing our journey of faith, in point of fact too few make it to this point. As Jesus points out in the Parable of the Sower, most the seed is lost in the planting process. The good news is that those which are left may produce thirty, sixty even a hundred fold, depending on their willingness to yield to the grace and power of the Spirit of Truth.
For many, the path thus far will have taken a toll. Choosing the Red Pill calls for personal sacrifice. Like soldiers, we relinquish certain rights and freedoms for the disciple and orders of command. Some are misunderstood and even alienated buy the very family and friends they serve. Others are wounded or worse by "friendly fire" being maligned or betrayed by other believers. Through it all training continues whether by the discipline of God, Enemy attack or both!
At this point the going gets so tough we decide daily to go on giving more or just give in. Costs may mount. One or more aspects of the battle may intensify. We wonder and even resent being given "k" rations and slopping around in the mud while other "soldiers" are sipping port and sleeping in condos. To this we may hear, as Peter did, Jesus simply answer, "What's that too you? You follow Me." Some have also found a quote from Martin Luther insightful:
- “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Wherever the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that one point.”
- "A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, "Will I ever make it— arrive and drink in God's presence?" I'm on a diet of tears—tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, "Where is this God of yours?" These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving— celebrating, all of us, God's feast! Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." Psalms 42:1-5 The Message
- "And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." Hebrews 12:2
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