Get off the fence.

Have you ever had an idea rolling around in your head? One of those ideas that won't leave you unless you do something with it? This blog post is one such idea.

Well, I don't know if “idea” is the right word. In fact, “Word” is the more appropriate noun in this case. I feel like Jonah in a way – given a Word from the Lord and ran from it. I'm not calling myself a prophet. I'm just saying I think I can relate to the weight of the matter that drove Jonah to seek reprieve.

Perhaps the message was too personal for Jonah. Perhaps it brought such conviction that he couldn't bear to look at himself in the mirror, let alone acknowledge that the Lord wanted him to speak it to a nation of savages. The truth was far greater that he wished to face. In fact, he outright refused to face it and ran away as far as he thought he could get. I don't know about you, but I don't think I want to wait until I'm swallowed up and spit out by a big fish before I do what I am supposed to be doing. So, I best get to it. . .

Get off the fence.

Interesting, isn't it? The very topic of my post is centered around making a clear choice. Wouldn't Jonah have had an easier time if he had just decided Who's side he was on from the beginning? Don't get me wrong. I think his being called to be a prophet of God is pretty clear cut in and of itself, but we do see the humanity of Jonah in the struggle he faced in fulfilling his calling. Sometimes I think I know what I am supposed to be doing, and other times I haven't a clue. But, one thing is certain, if I don't make a decision about Whom I serve in this world, I am going to continue to be a mess. 

Jesus clearly tells us in Revelation 3:15-22 (NLT) (emphasis mine):

15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. 22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Many of you have either read or heard this Scripture preached. It's pretty scary to think that all our time on this dusty planet we call home could be vainly spent. But, God makes it pretty clear that we cannot be complacent and numb and allow life to pass us by. He has laid out a beautiful plan for our lives and given us the free choice to follow it. Yet, so many of us, myself included, end up focusing on the wrong things and ultimately letting our fire for Jesus grow cold and dim.

Why does this happen? Do we even notice it before it's too late? Does the din of life gradually drown out the still small voice or does it suddenly take over? Either way, we have given away our authority, our victory and our peace by allowing the enemy to have his way with our lives. Distractions, addictions, good intentions and lackadaisical attitudes cause us to stumble. Half the time. I have created my own stumbling blocks. Somehow, I have allowed myself to begin to buy into the lies that I have no influence, that my voice doesn't matter, that I cannot affect change and that I am not worthy of the platform I have been given.

So what do I do? I end up sitting on the fence with one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom. Not being effective in either and feeling torn to shreds on the inside as the war that rages around me pulls me in both directions.

No more.

That's right, devil. You heard me. 

NO MORE.

Today, this moment, as I sit and write for the world to read, I make my choice.

I choose God. 

• I choose to live a life of worth; one that is found at the Cross, where my Savior bled and died for me, as if I was the only living soul on earth. 
• I choose to live a life of victory; victory found as Jesus rose on the third day, after conquering hell and the grave, risen with the Spirit of the Living God, which now lives in me. 
• I choose to live a life of power; power found in Living Water in which I will spread my roots and soak up the power of the Word made flesh as I declare His holy name. 
• I choose to live a life of joy; joy that is established in my relationship with my Father in Heaven and which cannot be taken from me, unless I give it away. My joy is found in the knowledge that I was made in the image of my Creator, who loves me beyond measure. 
• I choose to live a life of prayer; one that keeps me and those around me covered by the grace and mercy of my God and King and I will believe Him at His Word and for the fulfillment of His promises. 

I CHOOSE LIFE.

• No longer will I be a slave to the chains of the past.
• No longer will I bend and break under the pressure to perform as the world expects. 
• No longer will my happiness be determined by the emotional state of others. 
• No longer will I listen to the lie that I have nothing to say and nothing to offer this world. 
• No longer will I be blinded to the needs of those around me and the calling to which I have been given.

Today, I choose to serve the Lord. I am getting off that proverbial fence and standing squarely on the side of righteousness.

Things will get rough. I will face challenges and I will be tested. I will not always feel like I have succeeded and I will find myself faced with the choice to give up or go forward.

In those moments, I will recall this day, this post and remember that I have thrown off the world's view of me and embraced my true identity in Jesus.

I will not be a fence sitter any longer. 

Tell me, friend... how about you?