This would be almost funny to me if it weren’t true. I read in the news this week that this proposed “choose life” themed license plate was ruled unconstitutional in North Carolina because “the state doesn’t currently offer an alternative for those who may disagree with supporting life”. That’s right, there must be a countering license plate made available for those with an opposing viewpoint. I get it, separation of church and state and all that. States can’t impose or endorse ‘morality’ on a license plate. North Carolina does offer, however, license plates supporting sea turtles, shag dancing, and the NRA – so there’s that.
This license plate debacle got me thinking – not about pro-life, pro-choice or politics – but about what it means to choose life. Biblically speaking, that is. God desires that we choose life and blessing. It’s laid out clearly by Moses, as he stands with the people on the verge of their long-awaited promised land:
- He tells us, “give attention to My words, incline your ear to My sayings… for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:21-22).
- Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is “living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword” (4:6).
- John 6:63 explains that the words He speaks to us are “spirit and they are life“.
We choose life by choosing to be in God’s Word. We choose blessing over cursing. Life over death. It’s not a guarantee that we will be swimming in blessings all the time, but it IS a guarantee that we will be transformed more and more into who He has created us to be. We find peace in the middle of chaos. Joy in spite of frustration. Clarity in the midst of confusing circumstances.
We can’t limit the huge amount of choices we are faced with every day. I’d love it if my kids were presented with only good things to choose from, but that’s unrealistic and unbiblical. I pray instead that when faced with both good and bad, they choose the best by choosing life. Jesus doesn’t force us into anything. He stands patiently before us ready to guide us into our best life. It’s our choice.
God put a big exclamation mark on the Deuteronomy verses for me a few years ago when, after studying about choosing life and blessing, I walked off a plane into a jetway filled with these signs:
Into the Foolishness of God 
Well written, thanks for sharing! I am thankful that God led me to your thoughtful blog today and I look forward to exploring! God Bless!
Thank you, yours is fantastic as well! Blessings