Have you ever been caught in the web of making a choice between “two or more good options”? Do you have suitors, job appointments or business ideas, etc and you are left to make a ‘major choice’ that will determine and impact on your life forever, then this message is for you!
Before anything else, read slowly….
Acts 1:20-26
One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers: we must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us – and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection.’ Having nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias, they prayed, ‘Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.’ They then drew lots for them, and as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles.
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. The Apostles of Jesus needed someone to take position of Judas, and they had before them two good choices: Matthias and Joseph (Barsabas).
2. They made nominations using Divine standards, then they Prayed because they needed Divine approval and guidance, before casting lot/Election (Choosing).
3. For any of our choices to receive Divine approval we must learn, like the Apostles, to nominate or make choices that does not contradict Divine standards. Ask yourself: this idea/thing/person I am choosing is it True, Holy and does it spring from Love not emotions, biases or sentiments?
Is it a Need(necessity) or Want (mere desires)? The Bible says: Lord my heart is not proud, nor hauty my eyes; I have not gone after things too great not marvels beyond me (Ps.131:1). Another scripture says: I will not set my eyes on worthless things (Ps.101:3). Any idea that is not based on True knowledge , Love and eternal qualities but based on false or unclear knowledge, emotions (usually not reasonable) because it springs from lower aspect of man, pride or “to show off”, or changing qualities
4. We must Pray about these choices asking for a Divine sign to guide our choice. No wonder the Bible says: commit your plans to God, and your work shall be established (Prov.16:3)
TASK: Pray Psalm 17 now asking the Lord to always lead you on making your choices. If you have suitors, job opportunities or several ideas and proposals, and you are caught in the dilemma of choice making, use all the names, variables or ideas to pray for 9 days. On each day of this Prayer (which you shall pray with Psalm 17) spend 10 minutes of meditation on each name or idea or variables using the Spiritual exercise in No. 3 above. If its the choice of a life partner use the SET-TIME PRAYER format for 9 days and do your meditation for 10 mins after praying Psalm 17 by 12:00AM.
I pray for you: May the Lord you whose face you seek not hide his face from you (Ps. 27:8) but show you his light and salvation. Amen.
© Fr. SimOne Madu, OSJ
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