What are the choices that define my life? This is the Daily Disturbance podcast with Anthony Von Gieman. Ignore the noise and follow your own choice. I love that quote.
It is your life we speak of, no one else's. I had the privilege of running a number of miles with Hannah, my daughter, who finished her first marathon, 42.2 kilometer marathon, just a few days ago, the 125th Boston Virtual Marathon. I ran the actual one a number of years ago. And as she struggled in her thoughts in the last few kilometers, getting increasingly discouraged and negative because of just tiredness and exhaustion, I suggested a more positive disposition.
You know, not to whimper her way to the finish line, but to wow her way to the finish line. Because it was one memory that would stay with her forever. And amazing. She chose.
She opted to. And by handing over in the last 2km a list of people that she still had to pray for as she committed to do so during the run. So she must have completed half and said, dad, can you help me complete my prayer list? Wow.
Instead of that negative disposition, she now was in the process of intercession. You know, intercession is often the better intervention. Starting strong is great. Robin Sharma said this.
Finishing strong is epic. And for Hannah, that was an epic finish indeed. Now, if I were to list down, based on my experience and many of them unfortunate points, what are the most important choices one will make in life? Here you go.
I'd name the following my list. I hope you see that it connects with your life as well. Fifteen of the most important choices one makes that defines his or her life. Number one, Love the unlovable, as Jesus did for you.
Number two, Initiate reconciliation even when you're not in the wrong, and even if it doesn't work, it's on record that you sought peace and you sought it first. Number three, Fix your bed in the morning. Seriously, I mean, come on. How can you fix anything else if you can't fix that?
Number four, Embrace your family's conditions, good, bad and ugly. Anything embraced and accepted becomes a blessing and a gift. Think about it. Number five, the fifth choice, Life changing choice.
Seek forgiveness and apologize quickly. Do not give anyone. And that includes the devil. If you believe the devil exists.
Do not give anyone anything to use against you. Number six, Take care of your health. Self care. Come on, at least work up a sweat if you will.
Eat that. Number seven. Offer more than the minimum. Do not hold back.
No one pays for average Dr. John Maxwell. Number eight, put God's approval above all else. Seeking him first assures you of Securing all good things.
Next. Number nine. Connect with your spring, your source. First thing you know this quote that those who kneel before the Lord can stand up to anything.
Number 10, the 10th choice that will define or redefine your life. Hold judgment and have an open mind. You'll be glad you did. Now, it won't always work, but trust me, you'll have more friends and less enemies.
Number 11. Open your heart to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Absolutely no other choice comes first in my life. Number 12.
Insist on personal transformation over success. It's what your friends, your family and your team will hope you choose to. It's not what you accomplish, guys. It's who you have become.
Number 13. And my wife will agree. Choose your partner wisely so that you'll have a bit more of heaven, not hell, down here on Earth. Number 14.
Expect the unexpected. Welcome surprises lose control because really, God can't co pilot with you if you won't let him lead. And finally, number 15, the 15th choice that will define and redefine your life. Steward your resources.
Jesus spoke of money, right? More than love, precisely because it causes the most stress in life. Love the unlovable. L.
Initiate reconciliation. I Fix your bed. F. Embrace your family conditions.
E. Seek forgiveness quickly. S. Take care of your health.
T. Offer more than the minimum. O. Put God's approval first.
Connect with your spring and your source in the morning. C. Hold judgment. H.
Open your heart to Christ as Lord and Savior. O. Insist on your transformation over your success. I choose your spouse wisely.
C. Expect the unexpected. E and steward your resources. S L, I F E S T O P C H, O I C E S Life's top choices.
First Corinthians 10:23, and I quote, all things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. End quote. Make the choices that build up, my friend.
Starting with this weekend. It's a Friday and it's time to reflect and hopefully make some choices. Number one, what is one thing that you should choose to continue? Because it's been working.
It's been a good thing, a habit that is worth preserving. Number two, what choice should you make to stop something? It just isn't helping. And finally, the third.
A choice to begin, something to renew, perhaps to start again. Remember, first you make the choice, and then the choice makes you. Happy weekend.