Scrooge

We went with some friend to see the "A Christmas Carol". You know the story of a man who chose wealth over relationships and joy. Then after being shown what his life has been and what it will end up he chooses to have a change of heart. I was struck by this phrase that the ghost of Christmas past said to him.

"May you be happy with the life that you have chosen."

This phrase hit home. We choose to live a certain way and there are outcomes that are based on our choices. If we choose to focus our attention on one thing, then we will by default ignore another thing.

Where we choose to put our time, energy and money, may or may not bring us the happiness that we are looking for. Ultimately the choice is ours. 

In Deuteronomy 30 this concept is clearly laid out for us.

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 

If we love God and walk in His ways, we will be blessed.

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 

If we are disobedient and follow after other things there will be destruction.

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:15-20

"May you be happy with the life that you have chosen"