Are You Ready to Choose What Matters Most?
Lucinda Secrest McDowell
All the things. Good things. Worthy things. Extraordinary people, adventurous journeys, breathtaking beauty, life-changing words, fulfilling service, quiet moments, and soul-stretching creativity.
But how do I choose?
My own life is full of obligation, deadlines, hurry, complicated relationships, overdue bills, medical challenges, juggling jobs—all seasoned with occasional bouts of guilt and insecurity. Because I can’t do it all. I can’t be it all. Too often choices are already made for me in the flash of a need to be filled or a last-minute request granted.
I tell myself, “It’s all good.” And, for the most part, it is. I am not struggling between the lesser of two evils; more often I’m struggling between two equally good things. My challenge is how to distinguish what matters most.
The Apostle Paul wrote that God offers a path that brings life to us and allows us to pursue that which works to enlarge and enrich our existence rather than diminish or crush our spirit. “For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return” (Philippians 1:10).
We can choose!
It is actually within our power to decide each day how we will live out the numerous interruptions, joys, crises, and surprises that come our way. With endless resources provided by the One who knows us best and loves us most—God, the creator and sustainer of the universe.
When I feel all alone in my secret struggles, I can choose connection instead of isolation. When headlines are frightening, I can choose courage instead of fear. When people break my heart, I can choose healing instead of despair. And when the world is simply a cacophony of chaos, I can choose silence, calm, and serenity.
Are you ready to choose what matters most?
For those tired of living the way you always have, you can start right here, right now!
But there is a caveat—every time we say yes to one choice, we must inevitably say no to something else. Nothing good ever comes easy. Are you ready to sacrifice? To let go of much in order to embrace less? To relinquish productivity in order to rest? To break down the polished, filtered, public façade in order to live with authenticity?
Author Emily P. Freeman urges that instead of striving to make the perfect choice, we should attempt to discern whether a potential decision is “life-draining” or “life-giving.” She says, “Close your eyes, open one hand in your lap and put the other on your heart, and ask yourself, What am I longing for in this moment? What is life-giving? . . . No matter the choice you make today or in the future, Jesus is with you. He has gone before you. And he will remain with you no matter the result.” (Your Next Right Thing)
It was for all of us who struggle in this area that I wrote my new book “Life-Giving Choices – 60 Days to What Matters Most.” I’m so happy to be able to provide a practical interactive way to discover many of the life-giving choices available to each of us.
Will you join me later this Fall (the book releases early November) or even in the New Year (because this book would make a great Christmas gift as well) in Choosing Life?
Maybe my prayer could become your own: Lord, I give up. I’m tired of trying to do all and be all, only to end up disappointing everyone, myself, and, I feel, even You. Will You help me begin to intentionally make choices for life through Your Word and Your way? Starting today, and through Holy Spirit power, I begin. Amen.
under the mercy, Lucinda
“Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity and Strength”
excerpted from Life-Giving Choices ~ 60 Days to What Matters Most by Lucinda Secrest McDowell
It so helps an author when you PRE-ORDER!
My newest book “Life-Giving Choices ~ 60 Days to What Matters Most” is a devotional journal which can help you make the most important choices every day. Coming out this Fall from the good folks at New Hope Publishers, it is available now for pre-order AMAZON. Or pre-order CHRISTIANBOOK.
©2019 Lucinda Secrest McDowell www.EncouragingWords.net
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Lucinda Secrest McDowell - "Encouraging Words" 