Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Mc Donald's or Magic Mountain?

I must not have heard her correctly. Did she say Mc Donald’s or Magic Mountain? Seriously? Sabrina and I stared at our youth leader for a few moments and then looked at each other to see whether the other had heard the same ridiculous question. Sabrina’s face looked as shocked and confused as I’m sure mine did. What kind of question is that? Did she mean to ask something else—like Mc Donald’s or Burger King, perhaps? One thing was clear. We had better answer quickly! “Magic Mountain,” we replied enthusiastically.

And then I went home and laughed and laughed and laughed some more. That was the funniest question anyone had ever asked me.

Almost twenty years later, it is still one of my favorite memories from childhood—one that still makes me laugh the same way I did all those years ago. Whenever I have to choose between two things, one of which isn’t even worth true consideration, I think, “Mc Donald’s or Magic Mountain?” and I laugh.

For some reason, the first thing I thought when I woke up yesterday morning was: “Mc Donald’s or Magic Mountain?” After laughing for a few minutes, a serious thought crossed my mind.

In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses told the Israelites that they had a very important choice to make and then went on to tell them which was the best choice. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

For a 13 year old who LOVED amusement parks and didn’t get to go to them often, the question of Mc Donald’s or Magic Mountain had an obvious answer. Magic Mountain. But what about a more serious question? Life or death?

Feeling disconnected, constant searching, never finding, lack of direction, distress, misery, unanswered questions, walking this road alone, mediocrity, nothing to look forward to, constant disappointment, DEATH…

Living for Jesus, having direct access to the Father, allowing His Holy Spirit to dwell in me and guide me, a constant friend, a heavenly Father, joy, peace, purpose, unconditional love, security, everlasting life…

The choice is yours.

I choose to live for Him. I choose to be His servant. I choose ABUNDANT LIFE.



"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)