Pause

What do you expect from God? For some, this is the question.

But then there is this one: What does God expect from you?

There may be answers to both in the moments just ahead. Listen carefully for the whisper of answers.

Listen

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Think

I remember wanting to quit my basketball team because I thought I wasn’t getting enough playing time in the games. So I told my coach I was quitting. I’ll never forget him looking me straight in the eye and asking, “What about the team?”

I wasn’t sure how to respond, because I hadn’t thought about the team. I hadn’t thought about how my decision to quit would affect my teammates, or even how it would affect my family and friends. My coach’s question helped open my eyes to the responsibility I had as a teammate, and it encouraged me to stay on the team.

Moses was encouraging the Israelites to understand that their decision to follow or not follow God was about more than just them. He wanted them to think about how their choice could give life to their children and their children’s children. He even encouraged them to think back to the promises God made to their faith leaders like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites were instructed to make the right choice and to know that their decision stretched from ancient ancestors of yesterday through future generations of tomorrow.

Patrick Jones

Pray

Thank you, Lord, for people who help me look beyond myself and encourage me to make the right decisions. Help me to think about others in every decision I make. Amen.

Go

Go now expectantly into your day,
And walk with your eyes to the horizon.

Believe with confidence;
Anticipate the new;
Assume the unknown;
Be ready for change.

Trust that the Creator is at work;
Await the prompting of Spirit.

Look forward to challenge,
And make it your intention to respond.

Count on God.