9 May, Saturday — “The choice is yours…”

Saturday of the 5^th Week of Eastertide

Acts 16:1-10
Jn 15:18-21

“…because my choice withdrew you from the world…”

We make many choices every day. From the time our alarms sound in the morning, we make a choice to hit the snooze button or to get up and get ready for the day. Throughout the day, we are again faced with many decisions to be made, from the mundane “What shall I buy for lunch?” to sometimes much more complex problems, like “should my economic rice meal be covered in curry or gravy?”

I jest of course, but in the course of our lives, we do have to make decisions that will affect our futures. And every time when faced with these choices, I know God is there to prompt me to make the right one.

Many years back, when I was coming to the end of my full-time enlistment in National Service (NS), I had to make a decision on what to do after that. My A-level results were not good enough to get a place in any of the local universities, and my family situation was not one where an overseas education was a viable alternative. So, the situation was looking bleak. And I had to make a choice on what to do after NS, be it to find employment or take some courses that would allow me to take a step forward in my education journey.

By chance, I met a friend from my junior college and as we were chatting, she mentioned that she was taking a diploma in Mass Communications at one of the polytechnics. When I asked a little more about what it was all about, I felt a strong prompting that this is something that was meant for me. I made the choice to apply for this particular course and, out of more than a thousand applicants, I was accepted as one of the hundred students in the third batch of the Diploma in Mass Communications.

This decision changed my life. It was a place where I really enjoyed learning. The subjects were very interesting, and I could see how the knowledge we acquired could be applied in the real world. I can honestly say that the decision to apply for that diploma shaped my future and was truly a blessing from God. Graduating with that diploma paved the way towards getting a Bachelor’s Degree within a year and, subsequently, introduced me to the wild world of Marketing, an industry where I spent most of my career.

Whenever I have to make a decision that may affect my future, I always take some time out and ask God, “What is your will? What do you want me to do?” I don’t often hear Him telling me to do this or that, but there will always be signs — either someone offering me advice or Him placing me in a situation where certain signs point me to the decision that I have to make. Other times, it is very simple; I ask myself, “does my heart feel at ease with the choice that I have made?” I know that sometimes, fear takes over but if my heart is at ease, I know God is with me in that decision.

There have been times when the decisions I made, like taking up some of the jobs that I have been in, had outcomes that were unfavourable; but I know that God has specifically placed me in those situations — to learn, to grow and to be in a place where I can learn to trust more in Him. Even in those situations, I know that God has placed me there for His own purpose and not mine. I may never see nor realise God’s ulterior plan, but I know He has used me and upon reflecting on those times, I am thankful that He has used me and that I was open to His will.

As I continue to make decisions in my life, whether those choices are quick and routine or ones that are complex and involve others, I pray that I will continue to trust in the Lord and be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. That I may be able to discern His will and be His instrument; to make those choices intentionally. And to always choose God.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Calvin Wee)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for the grace to always choose You. To be always conscious of your presence when having to make decisions, and for the grace of the Holy Spirit to make choices and decisions that will be pleasing to You. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the blessings that you have bestowed upon me. I thank You for always being by my side in good times and in bad. And I thank You for the free will that You have given us. May we always choose You and that our choices will always lead to You. Amen.