As I was growing up I have to admit that I was hardly ever the first one chosen for anything other then to be picked on by the school bullies. I recall my younger years dreading at times recess, because some of the “in crowd” like to make sport of those who just seem to not fit in. Not being overly athletic or popular it was a rare occasion indeed to actually be asked to participate in a group activity. Pick me pick me, the hands and voices would rise as the more athletic kids would choose up sides for a pick-up game of kick ball. Each child, in their own way, was running their own little election campaign, attempting to be chosen ahead of someone else for the choice spot of being first. Just once I wanted to be the one to pick sides, to choose who was going to be on my team, to be the captain and to actually run the show.

Oh the power to choose, what an amazing privilege an awesome responsibility. Choose rightly and for a moment you are the king, the hero, the captain of the winning team. Choose the wrong teammates and well the opposite applies, your team being called “losers”. Life is full of choices.

I’ve been thinking about elections, for instance. I’m reminded that every year we make another set of choices. Vote for him? How about her? Sometimes it’s confusing. Still, despite the oft times distasteful campaign process, we celebrate the fact that we get to choose. As the teams line up on the playground of political campaigning, each one crying “pick me pick me” what is it we, whom are given the opportunity to choose, are really looking for in a leader? Whom do we want to pick as captain of the team? Well Tuesday November 7 is our opportunity to exercise the privilege of choosing sides, of picking teams, of making a choice. Choose this day who will serve as captain for the next few years.

Even in our spiritual lives, God has granted us the amazing privilege of choice. Will we serve him? Will we serve worldly objectives? Will we serve ourselves?

Joshua 24:15 says: “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

No vote is still a choice; you are choosing to let someone other then yourself pick whom you will serve. The choice is ours. Let’s not blow it. Let’s roll up our sleeves. Let’s make wise choices regarding who serves in government leadership. Let’s be even more cautious how we choose who gets our heart service.

Deuteronomy 13:4 says, “It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. (NIV)

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings like eagles Isaiah 40:31