Whoever thought of frying pickles is one of my heroes. To have the thought that frying that salty piece of perfection would be a yummy treat is awesome! Fried pickles or what I like to call fried salad, are one of my all-time favorite appetizers.
Of course, that leaves me with choices when I go out to eat. I can have the amazing “fried salad” dipped in the tangy sauce to start my meal or choose the healthier, less impressive ordinary, non-fried salad. One makes me happy, but isn’t the best choice and the other makes me healthier physically, probably making me feel better overall, but doesn’t always give me the same pleasure.
We live in a world where we get to make our own choices. We get to choose where we live, what we do for a living, who we spend time with, what we eat and so much more. Some decisions are made with research, others with current experience and knowledge and still others by what makes our heart sing. But they are ours to make and live with.
In the very beginning of time, God gave us free will. He wanted us to choose Him the same way He chose us. He gave Adam and Eve the entire garden, everything they could want or need but one tree. They were left with a choice, that to us today seems rather simple – don’t eat from the tree of life. (Of course, hind-site is always 20-20, right?)
The thing that gets me about this every time I think about it is that God knew we would choose to defy Him. Originally in the garden and today when I choose to covet my friend’s lifestyle, or gossip or make work or exercise more important then God. He knew our hearts, knew we would be weak and yet. . . .
God gave us this amazing gift of free will. How much does He love you and me that He would offer free will knowing that we would often choose poorly? He loved us so much He already knew He would need to sacrifice Jesus, His only son!
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15
God knew, probably grieved, that we would choose poorly all too often. But He gave us the choice any way. God knew even in the garden, that we would need to be saved. He already had a plan in place, that a woman, Mary, would crush Satan with the birth of Jesus. That shows His beautiful, perfect love for us!
I need to remind myself of this truth every day. Yes, I have free will, but it came at a huge price. How can I be worthy of that choice every day? Afterall this isn’t fried verses healthy salad; His sacrifice has given me the opportunity to live in complete joy in eternity.
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
