The Joy of the Journey: Choose Christ

The Joy of the Journey

Choose Christ

Researchers estimate that the average adult makes between 33,000 and 35,000 decisions every day. Most of these choices are small and almost automatic: whether to hit the snooze button, what to wear, what to eat, or which route to take to work. (Max Lucado, Help is on the Here) Every decision, no matter how insignificant it may seem, moves us in a particular direction. The sheer volume of choices we make can even lead to what psychologists call decision fatigue, a mental exhaustion that makes it increasingly difficult to make wise choices as the day goes on. (Psychology today)

If we make tens of thousands of decisions every day about ordinary things, shouldn’t the most important decision of all deserve our daily attention as well?

Many people think of accepting Jesus Christ as a one-time decision. They remember the day they walked an aisle, prayed a prayer, or publicly confessed their faith. While that moment is significant, Jesus never described discipleship as a one-and-done event. Instead, He called His followers to make a daily decision. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Notice the word daily. Jesus did not simply say, “Take up your cross.” He added a time frame that leaves no room for misunderstanding. Every sunrise presents a fresh opportunity to choose Him again. Salvation is received in a moment, but discipleship is lived out one decision at a time.

Each day we choose whether we will spend time with God or ignore Him. We decide whether we will forgive or hold on to bitterness. We choose humility or pride, generosity or selfishness, faith or fear. These decisions may not seem dramatic, but together they determine the direction of our spiritual lives.

Joshua understood this principle when he challenged Israel, saying, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Although Israel had already experienced God’s miraculous deliverance, they still had to choose whom they would serve. Yesterday’s commitment could not substitute for today’s obedience.

The same is true for us. Yesterday’s prayer cannot replace today’s fellowship with God. Yesterday’s worship cannot sustain today’s battles. Yesterday’s faithfulness is something to celebrate, but it cannot excuse today’s complacency. God desires a relationship that is renewed every morning.

The world encourages us to make decisions based on convenience, comfort, and personal happiness. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves. That is often difficult because our flesh naturally resists surrender. Yet every time we choose obedience over compromise, we declare that Christ, not ourselves, is Lord of our lives.  This daily surrender is not a burden but a blessing. God never intended for us to carry life’s weight alone. When we choose Him, we also receive His strength, His wisdom, His peace, and His presence. Lamentations 3:22–23 reminds us that His mercies “are new every morning.” Every new day is another opportunity to begin again.

The thousands of decisions we make each day reveal what truly rules our hearts. Long before anyone sees our actions, our choices have already shaped our character. Every “yes” to God strengthens our walk with Him. Every act of obedience becomes another step toward Christlikeness.

The greatest decision you will ever make is to trust Jesus Christ as your Savior. But the greatest habit you will ever develop is choosing Him again tomorrow morning… and the morning after that… and every morning for the rest of your life.

So today my challenge is simply this: before making thousands of other decisions, make the one that matters most. Choose Christ. Pick up your cross. Follow Him. Then wake up tomorrow and make the same decision again.  How long should I do this? Until the day that we lay down the cross for a crown.