I Chose This

Movies tell stories that inspire, entertain and teach. Unfortunately, it's becoming difficult to find an inspirational movie or one which doesn’t contain language and offensive story lines. If you love movies like I do, you must revisit the archives to remember what used to be available to us.

In 2010 a movie called “127 Hours” was made based on a true story of a hiker in the slot canyons of Utah. The movie is a compelling story which is surprising given the fact that he is solo hiking and there isn’t a lot of dialogue. It begins with his decision to hike alone without telling anyone where he is going. His confidence borders on arrogance, and he takes only enough supplies for a day hike.

It wouldn’t be a compelling story without a crisis and when it happens you are immediately caught up in the impossibility of his survival. As he grabs a boulder to support himself, it dislodges and traps his right arm between it and the canyon wall.

He is suddenly aware of how many bad decisions he’s made. He’s alone. He’s in an isolated area.

He’s not equipped to rescue himself.

After 5 days of rationing water and snacks, psychologically denying and at the same time accepting his death, he makes a startling and honest revelation when he says,

“I chose this.”

He takes responsibility for his dire circumstances and realizes his survival will only be possible through some painful choices. He breaks the bones in his trapped arm, creates a tourniquet from his water pack tube, and cuts his arm off using a dull pocket knife. He is dehydrated and severely weakened by loss of blood, but he manages to hike out of the canyon, rappel down a 65 ft. rock face, find a puddle of rainwater and intercept a family who gives him water and makes a call for help.

This is an inspirational movie not a spiritual movie. He did not thank God. He did not blame God.

This movie resonates with me is because of those three words…

“I chose this.”

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Bad decisions generally lead to bad consequences. We live in a world full of victims. Some are true victims of someone else’s bad decisions, but much of our suffering is due to our inability to recognize the fact that a choice was made, and we are the only one to blame for the suffering.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:29-30 “So if your eye-even your good eye- causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand-even your stronger hand-causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus is not promoting self mutilation of the body but a gouging and cutting of the soul.

In other words, drastic measures should be taken to ensure your eternity. That is how important it is!

When true believers of Jesus Christ, His Bride, are removed from this earth, the Bible tells us there will be seven years of unparalleled Tribulation. It has been foretold throughout the scriptures.

Mankind has been warned.

Jesus warns in Matthew 24:22 “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.” NLT

Revelation 10:7 “...the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” NLT

In order to fully understand the Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, it is necessary to read all of the previous books of the Bible. The Greek word for Revelation is apokalupsis’ which means, ‘unveiling.’

This Book is the unveiling of God’s Plan through Jesus Christ. The rest of the Books of the Bible explain how we (God’s creation) got to this point. You cannot skip to the end and expect to understand it without knowing all of His Plan.

Many avoid reading the final Book because they claim it makes no sense.

They claim it is an allegory...just a story.

They claim that about the first Book of the Bible as well.

All the pages between Genesis and Revelation produce belief and hope in the Author of the Book.

His plan is known.

His Glory is unveiled. He would not have His creation be ignorant of His plan for us.

It ends well for those who embrace His plan. It ends badly for those who do not.

“I chose this.”

You will know those words to be true only when it is too late. There will be no rescue. There will be no plan a puny human mind can conjure up to escape. There will be no one to blame but yourself.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Your sin will cost you. Eternal life is free.

“I chose this.” Suffering or joy?

Joshua 24:15 “But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the (false) gods of your ancestors? Or the (false) gods of (those who keep you in bondage)?

But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

“I chose this.”

This time said with joy, thanksgiving, and anticipation of His Glorious Appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8 “And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.”

I choose this! Will you?