Is it desirable?

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

I love the nuggets of truth found in the Word of God.  I love the way it removes the veils over my hearts and mind and prompts me to examine my attitudes towards my beliefs.  I choose God because He chose me.  The love I have for Him is a direct result of the amazing incomprehensible love that He has poured into my life.  So as I read this familiar verse I had to ask myself if my attitude towards worship and service of God reflects one of pleasure?

I have the awesome pleasure of knowing the King.  He is ruler of all things.  Like Abraham, He took me away from a world where people served other gods ( Joshua 24:2-4). He has given me a life that I did not build( Joshua 24:13).  I have an eternal inheritance with and through Christ ( Colossians 3:24). He sacrificed His own Son so that I can be reconciled to Him.  ( John 3:16) So that I can live in freedom.  He fights all of my battles ( Exodus 14:14).

He desires me to walk in faith and in humility with Him.  He ask me to show my love for Him by obeying Him( John 14:15).  His charge is not heavy.  It’s to love Him and to love others ( Luke 10:27).  To seek those things that are just, noble, and pure ( Micah 6:8).  To live a life of surrender.  He wants these things for me.  Not to control me, but to bless me.  

Yet,  He still gives me the choice to decide if I will serve Him.  

He gives me a choice to accept or reject Him.  Why would it ever be conceivable that serving God and worshipping only Him would be undesirable?  There should be no hesitation or debate.  He is too good for me to turn and go the other way.  BUT when I treat my time with Him as a chore, when I forsake the assembly with other believers, or when I am complaining of murmuring about the circumstances of life I indicate dissatisfaction rather than love.  I am not serving with an attitude of joy.  I must go back to the beginning.  Count my blessings and acknowledge all that He does for me daily.  I must guard my heart against selfishness and pride.  I must decrease and He must increase.  I must choose to follow Him daily, put away and keep away those idols that harm my relationship with Christ.

I must sing songs of praises for Jesus who intercedes on my behalf.  I thank Him for bring the propitiation of my sins.  I am not perfect, but glory to God He is, and He loves me.

Father may I serve you with joy.  May my sacrifice be matched with obedience.  Thank you for choosing me and my life reflect gratitude for that choice.  Thank You for saving me.  Forgive me for those times when I complain.  Keep my eyes focused on You.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen