Choices - Maddie Wood

I recently made the decision to attend Grace Community Church. As I think back to the weeks leading up to this decision, I was consumed with thoughts such as how the sermon impacted my day, the interactions I had with members, ultimately leading me back to thoughts of how the church could benefit me or even what I could bring to the church. Long story short, after I made the choice to attend this church and then sat in the service this past Sunday morning, I had a completely different perspective because I chose to be a member of this body. Rather than having an individualistic perspective solely focused on the benefits I could reap from this community, I can now see that I had it all wrong. Rather than walking into the church as an outsider looking at how I could benefit from this community, I now see myself as a member of a community who I love and fight for.

I am reminded of why the Lord chose us as people and how that changes the lens under which we are seen. He did not look at our impressive resumes or take into account the benefits He would reap from us, but he chose us out of our great need for a savior, knowing that we would fail over and over, yet still selflessly chose us because of His deep love for us. As I reflect on finally making a decision to attend Grace, I am able to see how because of our Savior's death and resurrection, we are now adopted into His family and seen through the lens of the cross.
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” Ephesian 1: 4-5

I think back to the day I chose to be a part of the Fellowship. I remember thinking the hardest part was over, just making the decision to be in the program. I thought this one step of obedience was the last step, but it was merely the first of many in a long year of refinement. In the past few months the Lord has continued to remind me of the choice I have to love people in the way He loves us, in a way that pushes people to the cross rather than myself, and seeing them through the lens of the cross. I am learning that love is a choice, and the love that comes from the Lord was not meant to be compared to anything else on this earth because it is a type of love that pushes us to look more like Him.

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3: 14-16

- Maddie Wood