Choosing Christ in Everyday Moments

“I can’t decide! I like them all,” I told my husband after he asked which paint color I liked best for an upcoming room renovation. Whether it’s a paint color, restaurant selection or special event’s outfit, I am terrible at making decisions. I tend to like all my options equally.

Thankfully, it’s not every day that I need to choose paint colors or evening wear. I’m well aware, however, that every day, I am confronted with multiple more minor decisions. In fact, by one estimate, on average, we are confronted with 35,000 choices per day. Many are so insignificant we probably aren’t even aware of them. Others, of course, have grave consequences. Unlike my paint color options, which were all equally fine, Jesus taught me that some decisions are more important than others. All choices are not, in fact, equal.

The better choice.

As Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, she became busy with the meal preparation and other details that would make Him feel comfortable. Mary, on the other hand, “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” (Luke 10:39 NIV) When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary’s lack of help, He replied, “…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (verses 41-42)

In other words, when confronted with many options, Mary made the best eternal decision for the moment. She chose Him, who first chose her.

We, like Mary, face multiple options, distractions and pressures throughout our days. We, too, long to choose the One who first chose us so we can intimately know Him, deeply grow in Him and faithfully show Him to others, don’t we?

Regardless of how long your to-do list is, how pressed for time your day is, or how exhausted your body (or mind) is, the following small decisions can help you prioritize–and grow in– your relationship with God:

Choosing Him.

Use your small cracks of time. In Christ, there’s no such thing as “too small” or “unimportant.” This holds true for your use of time. If you have a few minutes in between meetings, during a child’s nap or in a carpool line, why not read a few verses or a brief devotional, pray for your family members or worship along to a favorite praise and worship playlist?

Multi-task during larger chunks of time. In addition to incorporating prayer or worship into longer tasks such as driving, walking the dog or cooking, other ways you can utilize more considerable periods is through listening to an audio Bible, podcast or other message.

Join a Bible study/have a prayer or accountability partner. You aren’t meant to walk the Christian life alone. By joining a local or online Bible study, you will not only be encouraged by others who seek to grow in Christ, but you will also be an encouragement to them. This “one another” ministry is the heartbeat of the Church and can invigorate your walk. Having a specific individual to share your burdens and prayer requests with, who shares theirs with you, is another way to grow in the Lord and fellowship with others.

Seek to serve. The Lord has given you spiritual gifts and talents. Ask Him to show you where to utilize them for His glory and trust He will lead you depending on your season of life. Everyday tasks can become a ministry when done in His name. For example, when you’re cooking dinner, double the portion, and you will have a meal for someone in need (or enough to invite someone over for dinner). When you’re grocery shopping, pick up a few extra items for a local food bank. If you’re home with young children, invite teens or young adults to spend time with you and ask how you can pray for them.

Through small, daily choices, we can choose Him who chose us. One day at a time, one choice at a time: each is an opportunity to know, grow in and show Him more:

Purposefully planted.

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you so that you would go and bear fruit…” (John 15:16a Amplified)

What a glorious realization that we are right where we need to be to grow in Him. He has purposefully placed us. Will we, like Mary, purposefully respond?

Heavenly Father,

I long to grow closer to You. Please help me prioritize, seek and surrender to You. Thank You for choosing me; now I want to choose You moment-by-moment and day-by-day.

In Jesus Name, Amen.