"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)God created humanity uniquely, granting us the freedom to choose and decide for ourselves, along with the capacity to reason and form deep affections for the things we value most. Consider how naturally we invest ourselves emotionally in the people and pursuits we care about. We long for our partners' presence, feel their absence deeply, and willingly sacrifice for their happiness, even when they disappoint us repeatedly. We cherish our family bonds and pray earnestly for their permanence. We attach ourselves so strongly to sports teams that a single loss can ruin our appetite, and we chase after celebrities, sometimes moved to tears simply by meeting them in person. These affections reveal something important about human nature: we are wired to love deeply and passionately whatever captures our attention and devotion.
Yet Jehovah, our Father, loves us more deeply than any partner, team, celebrity, or pursuit we could ever attach ourselves to. The question worth asking honestly is how deep our love for Him actually runs. Are we as concerned for God and His church as we are for our favorite sports team or the people closest to us? If we committed to God with even a fraction of the emotional investment we so readily give to lesser things, the impact on our spiritual lives would be transformative. Joshua's declaration remains the standard: whatever others choose, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Take God personally today. Draw near to Him with the same passion you reserve for what you love most, and watch Him draw near to you in return.
Lord, forgive me for the times I have poured more passion into fleeting things than into my relationship with You. Help me to love and pursue You with the same devotion I give to the people and pursuits closest to my heart. Draw me near, and let me take my faith in You personally. Amen.