Today's 4-year anniversary of my quitting smoking reminds me that life is always about personal choices. A friend of mine recently reminded me that a person can do anything they want to do (more specifically, he told me that I could do anything I want to do). That is true, provided they first make the choice, and then do that thing which they have chosen to do. "Faith without works is dead" according to James 2:20. Faith is the choice. Works is the action. Therefore, to chose and not to do really isn't a choice. In fact, if you don't do the thing, then that is your true choice. To do, or not to do, that is the question!
So, how can you help somebody make a choice? You can encourage them, commend them, help them in every way imaginable, but until they "do the thing", they haven't really made the choice. Think of it this way:
A bird (or a reptile, I just don't particularly like reptiles) must make the decision to break through it's shell before it can live its life. If it stays in the shell, it dies. You can call it, or encourage it to break free of the shell and begin to live, but if you break the shell for it, it dies. Ultimately the choice must be made by the bird, just as we must make our own choices. Encouragement is a great thing, and can help someone make a choice, but if you "do the thing" for them, whatever they have chosen to do will die.
Your past choices have brought you to your present. If you are happy with where you are, GREAT! You've made some good choices. If you aren't happy with where you are, GREAT! Your past only led to your present. You can forget your past and choose to change your future - today! It's your choice.
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