Choose

“Choose” is the last in our series of January reflections to make 2022 a life of joy and laughter. 

It’s also a segue to a succession of articles I’ll be writing to the beat of my heart— of which I am prisoner. I’ll appreciate your suggestions and feedback as we search our hearts together.

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Choose

I know not which is best— year start or year end.
 
When at the start, you shrink from the burden, or beam with enthusiasm.
While at the end, you sigh with relief, or grief, or satisfaction.
 
At the start, you say “I have a long way to go⁷,”
At the end you attest, “I’ve come a long way.”
 
At the start, you count the cost,
At the end, you write off losses.
 
At the start, you set your plan into action and gear up for battles,
At the end, you celebrate victories, identify opportunities and ponder scars.
 
Sun rise, sun set,
weeks speed, months jump.
Year come, year goes,
the rhythm of life flows.
 
Joys and sorrows,
Reaping and sowing,
Sickness and health,
Birth and death.
 
You may choose the start, or the end as better.
But significant is the “in between.”
How you live your life, will deem
The ending here, where eternity begins.
 
Should we choose to opt out, when the going gets rough?
Or stay the fight, till we get tough?
Shall we bid time to stop, when we’re on the mountaintop?
Or descend to the valley, to scale the next mountain?
 
Should I harden my heart, to avoid the pain?
Or stay vulnerable, friendships to gain?
Can I stay in a bubble to avoid the huddles?
Or let iron sharpen iron, stay humble as you mingle.
 
How we live we can choose
A way we cannot lose
The offer of our Lord Jesus
To be Savior, Master and Refuge.
 
With Jesus, we are hard-pressed on every side,
But a breathing space He’ll provide.
We’ may feel lost and confused,
But His peace He’ll infuse.
We can get knocked down,
And be up in the next round.
Storms will ravage,
But peace will be salvaged.
Yours will be the strength
to give life your best.
 
Without Jesus in your life equation,
It’ll be the same exact situation.
Your choice will make the difference
Whether or not you’ll live with significance.
 
This year has started, and very soon will end,
Like it or not, life will happen.
So choose your path, battles, and focus,
But consider our good Savior Jesus!

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13