Our culture today is great in that it offers us so many different choices. So many brands, restaurants, recreational activities, stores and all kinds of useful products. That is also something that is a hindrance to our commitment to Christ…so many different choices. A Texas minister and author I respect is James Moore. He has written many books, but in “God was Here and I was Out to Lunch,” he tells the story of a family who hasn’t been to church in a while.  He decides to write them a letter to make sure they know that they have not been forgotten and that he misses them. A few days later he receives a letter in return that states something like this:

“Dear pastor,

Thank you so much for your kind letter. Yes, we haven’t been in church for several months now, so maybe we should explain. In the summer, we go to the lake every weekend. Our kids are young now and we think it’s important they learn how to water ski well. To get away from life’s hectic pace. We like to get away, just the two of us.

But when summer is over, soccer starts. Our kids play in leagues that are competitive and can play on Sundays too. There is just no way we could possibly make it to church. We’ll be back to church. Don’t give up on us. There’s a brief period of time when soccer is over and basketball hasn’t yet begun, it’s too cold to go to the lake and that’s a great time to come to church. But then again, its Christmastime, and you know how busy that is. In January we take our annual trip to go snow skiing too.

But one of these days, you will look up and see us there in the congregation, because we love you and we love our church.”

Joshua says, “Choose this day whom you will serve…but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” There are many choices to make in our lives, and much to do, to be sure. The question really is, why do you make the choices you do? What or who guides your process of making those choices?  I personally love fishing, hunting, football, baseball and golf. They are great sports and activities, but do we choose them over my faithfulness to God? In our culture today, we serve “other gods.” They are just known by other names. You may have heard of some; sports, children’s activities, sleeping in, shopping, yard work or house cleaning, the lake life, etc. If you feel your toes being stepped on, you can probably name another that applies to you.

Choose this day, whom you will serve…

I’m not making a judgement call, I’m saying that we all make our own choices as adults, parents, single, married, widowed, etc.  You do have a choice, it’s interesting what we choose. Fill in the blank for this week.  Choose this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve __________________.

Tim Beck is pastor of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. His email address is revtimbeck@gmail.com.