I keep thinking about the difference between artificial lights, however beautiful they may be, and natural light in all of its nuances. Neon light/firefly light. Streetlamp light/sunrise. Strobe light/sunset. Search lights/moonlight. I think of the power it takes to generate light for whole cities and the radiant light of God…The true light that gives light to everyone John 1:9. Artificial light eventually sputters out.

Moses is reminding the people in Deuteronomy 11 that their children didn’t see the wonderful miracles God performed in bringing them out of the slavery of Egypt or their provision in the wilderness. So He tells them to teach that to their children v. 19. And then one of the most beautiful verses. See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse – the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. v. 26-28.

God is setting before us today a choice. Today we can choose to be present with God and ponder deep in our hearts His blessings and His still small voice guiding us – or we can choose to ignore Him. An artificial life or a life rich in His light and truth.

I woke up briefly during the night with God’s powerful verses in my mind. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight…because…The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. He guides me along paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Your rod and your staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 23.

Life is filled with choices. Everyday. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts bombarding me, I cringe at artificial, soul-robbing noise that is constant. I feel deep sorrow for people living in poverty no matter how poor or rich their homes may be. The world would have us believe that to follow God is to give up fun and choice. I’m not buying that anymore.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:7-10.

The world imposes its values. God gives us our choice. Love Him and be guided by Him who is faithful and gave Himself for us…or love the world. The world is full of the knowledge of good and evil. God is love. Your choice. I think the Lord God who created everything we see and everything we cannot see is the most fascinating, amazing Being full of life and light and truth and love that is eternal and real. Think how much fun and how amazing it will be to be with Him and how much we have yet to learn and experience with Him. Wow. Your choice today.