The Greatest Power We Have

Today is Inauguration Day. A day, whether we like it or not, of historic change in our country. But the question looms, is this very day in particular really a day of change for us as individuals? Should it be any different than any other day?

The decisions we make today should not be affected by who is in the White House. Nor should they be affected by the leading economic indicators, the gross national product, or the stock market. I'm not speaking about your portfolio, or your 401(k), or your financial plan. I'm talking about the important decisions of our character: what we stand for, who we love, how we go about our lives, and why we are here.

The Bible says "Choose this day whom you will serve." Our choices are made daily. My choice to do either right or wrong is still before me today just as it was yesterday, and as it will be tomorrow. God gives us the power to freely choose our course of action every day for that day. And that is our greatest power...the power of choice.

The power, and responsibility, of choice creates who I am, and guides me in what I do and how I do it. I am just as responsible for my choices today as I was yesterday. I can make a difference today just as I could have yesterday and can tomorrow. The key is: do I choose to do the right thing?

And that is what life comes down to. Do I choose the right path? Am I putting myself in situations that will help me and others around me? Do I do the right thing? These are questions that only we can answer for ourselves, and we shouldn't want it any other way. The worst thing we can ever do to ourselves is to give over our power of choice to other people or to our circumstances. And remember, giving up your power of choice is a choice in and of itself.

Back when President Clinton was in office, there was a bumper sticker that read "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Dole". When President Bush was in office, it was "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Gore" (or later on, "Kerry"). If you follow patterns, you know there will be a "I Voted For McCain" sticker coming out very soon. Can you see the pattern of blaming someone else for the predicament you're in? Isn't that a failsafe we use to justify our actions? "Don't blame me, blame others who make me do what I do". When it's written out in black and white, doesn't it seem weak just reading those words? Aren't we better than that? Of course we are.

And so, when the rubber meets the road, this day is no different than any other day. Our power of choice still resides in each of us as strong as ever, just waiting to be brought to the surface. Today, and tomorrow, and forever, choose to make a positive difference, to do the best you can with what you have, to encourage and help each other, to do the right thing, and most importantly, to love each other.

The choice, as it is, always has been, and always will be, is yours.

Michael