I recently read a comment on one of my friend’s blogs, it said, ” I don’t use God as an excuse for the choices I make – I don’t believe in God, so I get to take full responsibility for my choices.”

I wanted to reach across the screen and say, “You got it all wrong, I still have to take responsibility for all of my choices, every single one of them.”

But there is a reason why some people might think that we hide behind our Christianity, and while I have never heard anyone say, “God made me do it” when confronted with bad decisions, I have heard many outrageous claims from people who “heard from God.” From abandoning families to do life with a new lover, putting children at risk of abuse, or even claims of, “God told me I’m supposed to marry you.” And then there are the Crusaders…no wonder some people are rolling their eyes.

But I hope in our shared humanity, you can identify with us that believe in God, because regardless of our different beliefs I’m sure you understand what it is like to mess up. To make bad choices. To make mistakes. We can be selfish, self-righteous. Careless. Evil. As Christians, sometimes we lose sight of God. Our emotions run high and we mistake that as God’s affirmation, when it is no more than a reflection of our own sinful desires. But make no mistakes, in the end, we still have to take full responsibilities for every single one of our choices. We don’t get an easy out. We have a God to answer to for every choice we make, and on this earth, our choices affect the people that we do life with.

So how do I make my choices? I wish I could say I hear from God often, but I don’t. Most of the time, I pray and ask God to guide me, and as I take those steps I trust that God sees my heart and honors my choices. I hope they are pure, and right, and pleasing to Him.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Proverbs 19:21 The Message

I really believe God is pleased with me weather I have a degree in psychology (which I have), or a degree in physical therapy. Sometimes, God honors our choices. His plan is to use me regardless of the degree under my belt, He’s not asking me for a specific school of study, He’s asking for my heart and willingness to serve Him.

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.

Proverbs 19:21 The Message

But there are times I hear from God, I hear Him clearly. (Like I did six years ago, you can read about that HERE). And when you actually hear from God, it is so unmistakable that it knocks you to your knees, and you cannot take that experience away no matter how much you disagree with my faith. And something else, even when we I do hear from God, I still have to choose to follow Him, or not.

Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Colossians 3:17 The Message

I make my own choices, just like you. I want to make choices that enrich my family, choices that will make my loved ones proud. Choices that reflect that I am a person of character, integrity, and substance. But ultimately, I want my choices to please the Lord.

Just like you, I’ll make good choices and I’ll make bad choices. I’ll mess up, but sometimes I will get it right. With God as my guide, hopefully I will get it, but when I don’t, He will pick me up and let me try again because my great God is a God of second chances.