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Choose Wisely

The decisions we make shape our lives. One good decision can mean living out our dreams, while one bad decision can lead to a life of regret. We make decisions every day. Some are more important than others. There are things that are out of our control, but some outcomes are determined by our decisions. Good decision-making requires wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to recognize difference.

The Bible tells us about some wise men called magi, who were a caste of men specializing in astrology, medicine and natural sciences. Although highly educated, what made these men wise was the fact that they came to worship Jesus. Wise men and women still worship Jesus!

Like these wise men, we have to know who and what to follow. The wise men understood there was something different about this Child. He was born a King. They also understood there was something different about the star they observed and followed.

How do we know how to choose wisely? Ultimately, wisdom comes from God.

Most important decisions require faith. There’s often a risk involved. Although they had a general idea, the wise men didn’t know exactly where they were going. Usually God doesn’t give us all the details up front. We have to take one step at a time.

When the star stopped over the house where the young Jesus was, these men knew they were in the right place. They came from the East to Jerusalem. It was a long journey. They likely overcame intense desert heat during the day, and chilling cold at night. These wise men didn’t let any obstacles keep them from finding Jesus and worshipping Him as King. We may have to leave our current location. It will require determination. We have to make up our minds that nothing is going to keep us from our goals. Not circumstances. Not feelings. Not people.

When the magi saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. This special star was their inspiration for worship. The star pointed the way to the Savior. When they saw Jesus, they worshipped Him. They didn’t worship the star, but the One to whom the star pointed. The magi entered the house and presented costly, royal and fragrant gifts in recognition of who Jesus was/is.

Wise decisions will ultimately lead to joy, so choose wisely.

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Climate Changers

Climate change is a major topic in current culture. There is disagreement on whether or not this phenomenon is caused by human actions, however. You may believe mankind is destroying the planet, God controls the environment, or something in between. No matter where you are on this spectrum, I believe we can all be “climate changers” in the environments we inhabit every day.

I can think of many coworkers of mine over the years whose mere presence changed the atmosphere of the workplace—positively or negatively. Some of them would bring an energy that would brighten a room. Others would have the opposite effect. We all know people who make us cringe when they show up, because we know they will constantly complain or try to start an argument. I recall one coworker whose infectious laugh could be heard throughout the workspace. Her laugh would bring a smile to my face daily, even when she was too far away for me to know what she was laughing about.

Jesus told us to let our light shine in such a way that men would see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) In doing so, we act as thermostats and not thermometers. We should regulate the temperature in the environments we enter, rather than simply reflect or display the ambient temperature. We should be climate changers. We have the ability to warm up cold spaces and illuminate dark settings.

Do people hate to see us leave a place or are they happy to see us go? My goal is to leave a place better than I found it. Let our joy be contagious!

(Photo credits: Godisable Jacob and Engin Akyurt)

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Continuing the Celebration (Joy For the New Year)

Happy New Year! We are well on our way into 2018. A new year often brings new beginnings and new opportunities. However, an opportunity is only as good as your ability to take advantage of it. Maybe 2017 was not a good year for you. You may have faced many difficulties and challenges. You said to yourself, “Things have got to get better this year.” Every year at this time you believe that this will be “your year”. You’ve been waiting a long time for dreams and promises to come to fruition. The reality is that sometimes it’s difficult to be optimistic while we wait. Circumstances have a way of affecting our joy. Maybe something has already occurred in the first few weeks of 2018 to sap you of the joy and enthusiasm you started out with on January 1.


I want to encourage you to continue the celebration you started several weeks ago. Remember the optimism and expectancy you had when the year first began. Make a choice to keep the party going despite whatever hardship you may be currently enduring. We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control our responses to them. If we can step back for a moment and look beyond our circumstances to our loving heavenly Father, we can rest in the fact that He knows what is best for us.

If you ask, God will give you direction. I have to admit; sometimes the answer doesn’t make sense. It may seem like you’ve been given foolish instructions, but trust Him. Take a risk. Exercise faith. It is possible for your joy to be restored. You can have joy for the new year and beyond. You’ll soon have a reserve from which you can share joy with others. You will quickly discover that joy is contagious! Let’s keep the celebration going!