A man went grocery shopping, and wanted to buy some soup. He found two different brands that both looked good, but he only needed one can of soup. Which one should he buy? He read the labels and studied the ingredients. He compared the prices. They both looked good, and the man couldn't make up his mind. So the man prayed about it. Which can of soup would God have me buy? After prayer, the man felt he had received an answer, put one can of soup in his cart, and went to make his purchase.
Some may say, "Wow, what a spiritual man! He even prays over what food he will buy." But in fact the man in this story has forgotten the blessing God has given us to choose for ourselves.
"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."
— Doctrine & Covenants 58:26-28
God has given everyone the divine gift to choose for themselves the path they will take, and he will never take that gift away from us. In the Old Testament, the prophet Joshua said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15). Sometimes our choices are between good and evil, and sometimes our choices are between good and good. Sometimes it doesn't matter to God which choice we make -- "Should I wear my red socks or my blue ones? Should I buy the chicken soup or the tomato?"
Don't get me wrong - there are some choices that take a lot of study and prayer, but do not feel you must be directed in every single choice you make. If you are studying God's word daily, praying daily, and always looking for the opportunity to do good, you will not be led astray. Be confident in the gifts God has given you of free will, and show Him you are confident and capable of choosing the right. Have faith in yourself!
With love,
Jean
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Very interesting post... God does give us the blessing for free will. He doesn't want puppets on a string to be sure. Bless You!
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AMEN! I have watched far too many people struggling with decisions, unsure whether it is in God's will or not, when God has given them the go-ahead already! Good word here! Visiting from Thankful Thursday.
ReplyDeleteIf we are walking in the Spirit, we can trust the He will guide us into the best decisions for us--even between two good choices. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that there is a subtle difference between those that were saved at an early age and those saved later in life. The ones saved later in life tend to not pray over little things and the others do. It's an interesting quandry.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post today. I am a firm believer that God made us with the ability to make good choices. We just have to do it!
ReplyDeleteAs we mature in the Lord, and are led by His Holy Spirit, we are able to believe that we are walking in God's will. I am not saying we should not pray about decisions, but we do have what some call "common sense," to be wise in our choices. Thank you for sharing at Tell Me a Story. I will think of this one next time I buy soup!!
ReplyDeleteYes, friend, and thank you. It reminds me of people who say they need to pray about whether they ought to help the poor or the widow or the imprisoned.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of like a playground, where God points at all the toys and says that you can play on any one of them. As you said, He does give us choices and the ability to make them.
ReplyDeleteSome people get paralyzed in indecision because they're afraid of "making God mad" by making the wrong choice.
When we're prayerfully walking with Him and reading the Bible and praying for His guidance, He won't let us down. Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
Thanks for linking up! Walking with the Lord daily provides the direction we need each and every day!
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