Constantly throughout our daily existence, we are faced with choices. What to do and what not to do. Every decision has a consequence, every action a reaction. I myself have turned to the Bible to help me with guidance in these decisions. Here, in a place where so many choices are made for you and complacency becomes the norm. What choices do you really have to make? That one question compelled me to write this brief mission statement that I’m about to share with you my fellow members. Let me take you on a journey of how I choose to live my day.
It’s quiet, it’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The day is coming.
In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rise of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of 55 other inmates around me. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and choices at hand. For the next 12 to 16 hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now I must make a choice.
Because of Calvary, I am free to choose. And so I choose LOVE…... No occasion justifies hatred. No injustice justifies bitterness, I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose JOY…... I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will resist the temptation to be cynical - the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose PEACE…… I will live forgiven. I will forgive so I may live. In doing so I will not only have peace of mind, but also peace of soul.
I choose PATIENCE…… I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I will invite him to do so. Rather than complain the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fists at new obstacles, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose KINDNESS……I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone; kind to the rich, for they are afraid; kind to the unkind for such is how God has treated me.
I choose GOODNESS……I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I boast. I will confess before I accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose FAITHFULNESS……Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word, my family will not question my love, and only God will judge the extent of my faith.
I choose GENTLENESS……Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fists may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I choose SELF-CONTROL……I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULLNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL – to these I commit my day. If I succeed I will give my thanks. If I fail I will seek His grace. And then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
So, in a place where we feel there are few choices to be made, we fail to
recognize that the important ones always surround us. They are your choices,
your decisions. No one can make them for you but you. Not thinking before
you chose brought you here – thinking before you choose can keep you
from returning. So, now I challenge everyone of you in white – make
the decisions that will meet your needs over time. Embrace the choices that
will set you free.
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All Rights Reserved. Taking Flight P.O. Box 2161 Orange, Texas 77631 1-877-883-0922 |
Updated
11/17/04 |