Friday, February 19, 2010

Life or Death Decisions

Moses said to the people:
“Today I have set before you
life and
prosperity, death and doom.
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your
God,
which I enjoin on you today,
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and
grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you
are entering to occupy.
If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not
listen,
but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,
I tell you
now that you will certainly perish;
you will not have a long life
on the
land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.
I call heaven and
earth today to witness against you:
I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then,
that you and your
descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and
holding fast to him.
For that will mean life for you,
a long life for
you to live on the land that the LORD swore
he would give to your fathers
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Dt. 30:15-20

Today was the second day of my Lenten Challenge, to attend daily Mass. This task wasn't quite as difficult when I was living at college (considering there were Masses each day from 7:15 am to 9:30 pm). But since I have graduated, it has become difficult for me to make a commitment. I willingly admit that it is because of my lack of self-discipline. I simply love to sleep, I can't help it! It is my hope that after completing this Lenten Challenge, I will easily be able to continue it as a Challenge for life.

I got myself out of bed this morning for the latest morning mass I could find in the area. 2 days down, 38 to go. Today's reading was Deuteronomy 30:15-20. God always has a way of making the daily mass readings exactly what I need to learn from that day.

Moses makes it pretty simple for us, and clearly puts it in black or white: Choose life, or choose death. It couldn't be put any simpler. But it really got me thinking. Every single step I take in life is either toward life, or toward death; toward heaven, or toward hell; toward God, or away from Him. Each morning that I decide my sleep is more important than meeting My Lord at Mass, each day I don't do my best at my job, each day I fail to spend enough time in prayer, I'm choosing death. It seems a little harsh . . . but it's entirely true!

In every decision we have, God sets before us "life and death, the blessing and the curse." Which will you choose? "Death and doom", or "life and prosperity"?

Let us, as Moses encourages us to do today, "CHOOSE LIFE"!

May this Lenten Season bring you new grown, purity, and life. May we always remember to strive for sainthood, aiming for heaven.

13 comments:

Shannon said...

Making an effort to choose life every day, too! It's those morning devos that are challenging me these days... baby's breakfast is always competing for attention. :)

Came over from FF :) http://thefamilyburke.blogspot.com

Robyn Campbell said...

I usually wake up at 5:00 so I can have my time with God before I start writing. (I'm a Children's author.) I am a Friday follower. It's all for HIS glory. =)

Amy said...

I choose Life!

From FF,
Amy
http://missionalmamassoul.blogspot.com/

Smart Money Mom said...

Beautiful blog full of Truth! Friday Following you!

Unknown said...

Great insights!

joeandbridge said...

Hi There! I am participating in my first Friday Follow. I have a brand new blog-I hope you can visit! I now follow and subscribe! Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
The Groschen Goblins
http://www.groschengoblins.blogspot.com/

HeartsMakeFamilies said...

Hi there! Thanks for joining the Blog Hop. I'm following you now. Love your blog. I'll be back later to read more.

Happy Follow Friday!

Tami
www.heartsmakefamilies.com

Sarah Coulsey said...

Happy Saturday!! I am a Friday Follow running late!!!!

Sarah

sarahsblogoffun.blogspot.com

Angela said...

Just wanted to say thank you for stopping by my blog and for your prayers! I love finding new Catholic blogs too, so I hope you don't mind if I follow yours :) God bless!

Unknown said...

I love the title of your blog!!

Happy Friday Follow ... on Saturday :). I'm you're newest follower. I'd love for you to drop by my blog sometime! Have a great weekend.

http://savingsandstewardship.blogspot.com

Shelley said...

Beautiful blog! Catching up from "Friday Follow"..I'm your newest follower! Love for you to come visit me!

Have a wonderful Sunday!
~Shelley @ Shelley's Swag

Jan said...

I am a very late Friday Follower. I love the name of your blog, and was not disappointed when I got here.

Great post, I can really relate!

Sarah-Paige said...

I love how I always walk away from my Bible study with a verse that seems like it was written just for me.
Found you via Friday Follow, now following <3

(http://thecandidreviewer.blogspot.com)