This Day

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

It is that time of year again. Summer is coming to a close, cooler nights are slowly moving in, and families are moving back toward a rhythm that includes school.

As our family begins to adjust to the new autumn schedule, I am reminded of this story in Joshua that occurred shortly before the valiant leader’s death. Joshua must have anticipated his coming demise, because he calls all the people together, recites the long history of all God has done for them, and implores them to serve God faithfully in response.

But it is this moment of choosing that is most critical in the story. After recounting all of God’s goodness, Joshua tells the people it is their decision to make. But he doesn’t just abandon them to making it. Far from it! Instead, after conceding it is their decision to make, Joshua immediately steps forward and demonstrates what a personal decision for God looks like!

I elevate this story during back-to-school season because a return to school means many children enter an expanded opportunity for choosing. In many ways, the freedom of summer is often accompanied by fewer personal choices. Schedules, chores, and activities are more frequently dictated by parents, and in many ways, there is less choosing by the child. The school year changes that in many ways, and it is true across many types of schooling—public, private, homeschool, and beyond. Parents and teachers can instruct and guide, but it is ultimately the student who must choose how they will apply themselves to the curriculum, their instructors, and their peers.

Note the context in Joshua’s offering to the people: “If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you…” (Josh. 24:15a). So often, a choice for Truth requires laying down our own desires. This is a lifelong reality for followers of Jesus, who has called us to take up our cross daily and follow Him (Lk. 9:23). Talk about an undesirable task! But if we are to be called His, we must be willing to choose His path even when it is undesirable.

For the students in The Equipped family, the start of the school year is a fresh opportunity for choosing. Who will you be? Who will your teachers see? Will you set the tone for your peers even when it is undesirable, or will you set the example by demonstrating what it looks like to go first? Will you wait to see what they choose, or will you step forward and demonstrate your choice in order that they might follow?

Joshua didn’t wait. He went first, and as a result the people followed. Joshua gave the people a choice, immediately stepped forward and made his choice, and the people responded by saying and then twice repeating, “We will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:18, 21, 24).

This school year, choose to serve the Lord! Go first. Lead the way. Don’t wait to see what others might say or do. If you will choose first, it might just pave the way for them to follow your choice for God with a similar choice of their own!

Choose this day and every day whom you will serve!