Life Choices from the Cereal Aisle?

The grocery store, the love-hate relationship I have with  the grocery store. Wasn't I just here?!

It's a duty, a domestic duty, an "ugly beautiful" as Ann Voskamp would say. Yes, I have quoted her before. I am inspired by her writings. She is gifted.

Here I go, up and down the aisles, in and out of other shoppers.

(Yes, I took this picture. Yes, I got strange looks.)

The cereal aisle...cereal, it's my go to, hurried morning, get something in the gut, staple.

The cereal aisle....I can't believe how many choices there are. No wonder there is an entire section of the store dedicated to this item.

This lead my thoughts to my walk with the Lord. I know, cereal and God...really?

Well, if you know me at all, you know my thought process tends to trail to the spirit world.

The cereal aisle...isn't life much like this. I have so many choices.

I can choose the "junk" cereal. It is conveniently placed in the center, easy to grab, cheap. It has no nutritional value (it says it does, but we know the truth). An awesome prize inside...yay! I gobble it up, but I am left feeling empty and wanting more, and the prize, overrated.

I can make a "better" decision, and get one a bit more healthy. It's easily accessible, a tad more expensive, not as tasty, kind of boring. It's ok for me, so they say, vitamins, minerals. A quick and easy way to wellness. After implementing this into my daily routine, I'm not satisfied, I see no true change of health.

The best choice...it's on the top shelf. I have to stretch (I'm 5'5) I have to inconvenience myself. This choice is loaded with nutrients, minerals, everything I need. It's pricey, it does cost quite a bit more than the others. However, it is wholesome and organic. At first, it seems bland, nothing fancy, no frills, no instant prizes. After awhile, after making a cognitive choice of consuming what is best...

I see change, I see health, I see a difference. I feel better than ever. I crave the nutrients. I yearn for what is wholesome and pure.

My walk with God is much like this. The world offers this colorful package of fun, luring me with all it's sirens of hype and "happiness". It's easy and convenient. The world never asks for me to sacrifice. At times, it will even disguise itself as good and right, and you can achieve health and wealth with not much effort. It seems fine. So many people are living this way, consuming these things, they seem fine.

However, the best thing for me...is to sacrifice. To make a choice that may go against everything my flesh wants, go against everything the world says is "good"...quick, easy, comfortable, tasty, cheap, no effort....and go for what is best, what God says is best.

After some time, I crave what is best, I yearn for time with Him, to consume His word. My life wants what is wholesome and nurtures my soul. The other, the world, at times may be tempting...but I remember. I remember serving Him, sacrificing for Him, loving Him, abiding in Him...that is a lasting satisfaction, joy and peace... you'll never leave empty.

Joshua 24:15..."Choose this day whom you will serve....but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

....and cereal.