choosing Life

In Walking with the Poor (my current read), author Bryant Myers describes the concept of transformational development—transformational, because the word “development” alone has come to suggest something in our culture that is more about material newness or economic prosperity than foundational, lasting change. He argues that truly transformational development:

“takes hard work…involves choices…setting aside that which is not life in us and our community while actively seeking and supporting all that is for life…this requires that we say no to some things in order to say yes to what really matters.” (3)

Myers’ words remind me of the words spoken to the Israelites in the day of Moses:

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…” (Deut 30:19-20)

“Choose life”. A pithy phrase narrowly adopted by some people merely to suggest an opposition to abortion actually encompasses so much more—Jesus told us that He came so that we might have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). Now, and in the life to come. Yet how often do I make choices that are not life-giving at all? What do I need to say “no” to in order to say “yes” to what really matters? And how can I even attempt to answer these questions for my friends and community if I have not individually grappled with them and reoriented my own life towards true Life-giving attitudes, priorities, and actions?