Leo has a laptop but no where in particular to plug it in. He’s homeless on the streets of New York City. Patrick McConlogue, a computer programmer,  passed Leo everyday on his way to work and one day decided to make Leo an offer. He would give him $100.00 cash or teach him to write computer code. Leo chose to learn. According to Relevant Magazine, Patrick gave Leo 3 books on coding, an inexpensive laptop, access to an online training site, and 16 weeks of personal computer lessons. This week, Leo released his first app for $.99 which helps commuters find other drivers who might want to carpool along their route to work. Leo is now a computer coder- he made the right choice!

Someone once said, “You make your choices then your choices make you!” What we choose today will invariably affect the quality of our lives tomorrow. When Israel entered the Promised Land, after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Joshua the leader of Israel assembled the people together to challenge them to remain faithful to God in their new homeland. He reminded them they had a choice to make. “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 ESV)

Choices have consequences and some are a matter of life or death. We are each free, in most instances, to choose the direction of our lives- but none of us is free to choose the consequences of our choices! We have to choose wisely. God’s prophet once said to Israel, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that your offspring may live…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV)

You have choices today. What will you choose?

-jkb