Called to Choose

(1 Kings 18:20-21, 30-39)

Eleanor Roosevelt once said: One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices
one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die.
And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.

We all make a lot of choices in our lives. Some are minor, like what we will wear on a particular day, what we
will eat for lunch, which movie will rent at the video store. Others are major, like what college to attend, what
career to pursue or whom to marry.

The Process

Look back at some of the major choices you have made in your life? What caused you to choose as
you did?

The importance of proper priorities (Haggai 1:5-10)

God is willing to help us make choices (Psalm 25:12, John 16:13)

An example of a bad choice (Gen. 13:7-13)

a. Lot chose the land that LOOKED best to him.

b. Lot never considered his godly uncle, just himself.
c. Lot never consulted God in Prayer.

It is always a bad idea to leave God out of our major choices.

Consequences

Whether major or minor, the choice is ours, as are the consequences (Deut. 28:1-14, blessings, Deut.
28:15-68), curses, see also Exodus 20:4-5) The consequences are sometimes obvious and sometimes
not. They may vary according to our circumstances. For example, a person who chooses to openly
worship Christ in Mt. Olive will probably experience significantly different short-term consequences
than someone who makes the same choice in Sudan, Afghanistan or China.

The Most Important Choice

The most important choice that we have to make, that are spouses and children, friends, neighbors,
co-workers, etc. have to make, is the same choice presented by Elijah to the people of Israel in
today’s scripture, whether or not to worship/follow/serve God.

We are all called to make a choice (Deut. 30:19,20, Moses just before his death, Joshua 24:15, at age
95). To get off the fence, not to waver (1 Kings 18:21, the Hebrew word translated as waver here
literally means to be lame or limp), not to remain lukewarm (Rev 3:15-16).

God is not a fan of deferred decisions. "Choose you this day..." The time element often has a bearing
upon our opportunity of choice. Sometimes the passage of time closes doors. (2 Cor. 6;2; Hebrews
4:7, Psalm 95:7-8. Ecc. 12:1)
 What do you feel is your role in helping others, like your children, to make major choices, and in
particular, the most important choice? How can you help them? (Study of scripture, games like chess,
etc.)

Baal
In ancient times in the Canaanite religion, Baal was the chief male god and the head of the Canaanite
pantheon. Baal was the god of life who replenished the earth with crops in the rainy season. Baal is
depicted on the various stone images that have been found brandishing a club in one hand and a
lightning bolt in the other. On his head he wears a helmet with horns, suggesting his association with
the bull, a symbol of fertility. Baal was the great storm god who drove the clouds across the sky and
let his voice be heard in the crash of thunder. He brought rain and fertility to the land. Baal determined
when the rain would fall: "Lo, it is the time of his rain; Baal sets the season, and gives forth his voice
in the clouds. He flashes lightning to the earth." (Vgaritic51:V:68-71.) He was referred to as the "rider
of the clouds through the heaven as though they were horses hitched to his chariot."

Who or what is your Baal? What idol(s) threaten(s) your exclusive devotion to God? (Matt:6:24)