Mind NutritionSample

 Choices, Choices, and More Choices  

I have some good news for you, God created you so that you cannot think two thoughts at the same time. Why is that good? Because the best way to not think bad thoughts is to purposely think good thoughts. You may go back and forth, but you can’t think them simultaneously. 

It comes down to making intentional choices, not just coasting through life on auto-pilot. One prime biblical example of making the better choice is found in the story of Mary and Martha. They were hosting Jesus and the disciples in their home. Martha was busy taking care of the house, preparing refreshments, serving everybody, and she realized that here she was working herself to death while her sister seemingly did nothing. 

She requested of Jesus that he put Mary to work helping her, but Jesus pointed out to Martha that they both had made a choice. Martha had chosen to try to fulfill everything that looked like an obligation, and that Mary had chosen something better. Jesus said Mary has chosen to be  with Him, taking in His words and experiencing life in His presence. 

I think Martha would have agreed that experiencing life in the presence of Christ was the better choice. Sometimes we just need to be reminded that the Christian life doesn’t just happen. We must be intentional in our pursuit of God. God wants to saturate our life with Himself, but He will not force Himself on anyone. It’s a choice that we must make, intentionally. Martha was, at a minimum, very distracted by preoccupation with what she saw as obligations. Sometimes, a buildup and load of obligations can lead to depression or negative thinking. More on negative thinking tomorrow.