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“So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 (ESV)

I’ve always been a fan of working out.  Exercise energizes me, clears my mind and just simply makes me feel good when I finish.  My normal routine is two a day – in simple terms – a 30 minute workout at 5:30 am and a 45 minute workout at noon.  For some of you that sounds a little crazy, but for years it has worked great with my schedule.

Lately, I’ve noticed a trend. Early morning exercise has become optional – it hurts to admit and even confess those words.  Yes, I’ve skipped a lot of my 5:30 a.m. workouts to catch a little bit more snooze time.  At first it was occasional misses and then, well let’s just say the snooze button has been getting a good workout not me.  Bottom line my consistent workout in the morning is no longer considered non-negotiable.

Webster defines my dilemma of optional precisely – “left to one’s choice; not required.”  Exactly what I’ve been doing and it’s not serving me well.

Wonder if we float our optional stance to other areas of our lives too?

It only takes a few occasional misses to land us in this place where a non-negotiable easily slides to optional.  Instinctively excuses start to mount….just 5 more minutes of sleep, just one more piece of cake, just one Sunday away. I think we all get the picture.  Discipline and consistency are far friends from the fleeting optional.

Worst place to land is when God becomes optional.  Choosing to allow the demands of our day to rob us of His sweet presence.  Neglecting Bible study because we’ve got plenty of time later.  Purposefully checking out of accountability – it’s our right to choose, isn’t it?  Compromise after compromise without even a second thought. Consumed with our freedom of choice, we can find ourselves moving further and further away from what once was non-negotiable.

Love the freedom our God has granted to each of us. Our relationship with Him is a beautiful gift not a forced allegiance. He does not manipulate us like a puppet on a string nor force us to love Him.  The choosing is totally up to us.  God desires a willing heart from one who seeks Him and walks in His truth.     He knows the protection, pleasure, joy, growth and blessings birthed in one who doesn’t see their relationship with Him as just another option on the table.

Sweet friends, we miss out on so much when we release our pursuit of God for other things.  No one else will ever satisfy. No one else will ever measure up.  We desperately need an ongoing discipline and devotion to our God.  He is so worth every effort we choose to make. I’ve regretted lots of compromises, but I’ve never once regretted keeping God first in my life.

“Father, Your door is wide open to those who intentionally choose to search for You with all their heart, mind and soul.  Help us to release excuses and avoid the regret of making You optional.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life