Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”

“Now choose” we’re commanded. Commanded. Have no choice. Choose. He has set before us life and death, blessings and curses. We have to choose. There are no options. We have to choose God. Make a conscience decision to turn our life and will over to Him — to surrender, to submit, to bow down before. If we don’t make a decision, we’re making a decision to not follow. Even if we don’t choose, we’re choosing.

Pros and cons of the decision: life or death, blessings or curses. We have them all here in earth. Which ones do you like? Me, I’ll take life and blessings please. But I’ve had my share of curses too, many Curses (ok, quick sidebar – God has taken those curses and turned them to powerful blessings, but that’s another story of incredible beauty) Death is coming, no amount of yoga, kale or supplements can stop it.

So what are life and blessings? Knowing why God put us here – a reason to live, purpose for living — is a blessing . Love is a blessing, such an awesome blessing. Joy is a blessing. Warmth and food are blessings. Many blessing have we, many blessings we’re called to steward. Curses we have too. Selfishness, greed, exploitation, abuse, addiction, there’s much more we can add to the list. The fruits of self are pain, destruction — an absence of stewardship.

That’s here on earth. If we are going to have both in our life, why choose? First, we don’t have a choice. Not choosing is a choice. Second, living a life focusing on God and his blessings, where even curses can be blessings, is far better than living a life focused on “getting what’s yours”. Third, there’s the death thing. Ultimately, the decision is about what happens after we die. To be in the presence of pure love for eternity — or not. To be in perfect beauty for eternity — or not. To be in perfect joy for eternity — or not. To be in the presence of God — or not.

” Choose wisely young Grasshopper” (for those of you old enough to remember the TV show Kung Fu) is very good advice in life, but a powerful, unavoidable, command from God.

Choose life.