The Choice

Contributed by:
Staci Overbeck
ministry assistant

This past weekend as we celebrated Easter, Pastor Ron shared with us an incredible story of hope from the life of Louis Zamperini - an Olympic athlete and survivor of unimaginable atrocities as a prisoner of war in Japan in World War II. Pastor Ron shared incident after incident that sought to destroy Zamperini until all looked hopeless. It wasn’t until Louis’ eventual release from the prison camp that he met Billy Graham, and through Graham, Jesus Christ. Louis’ life, and the lives of many Japanese soldiers, was changed forever because Louis chose to allow Jesus full access to his heart. He was given a second chance.

You and I have been given that chance as well. We may not have endured the injustice of a prison camp, but many of us live in prisons of our own making. We are tortured by thoughts of who we ought to be, or what we ought to have done. We are reminded again and again of our failures, and we allow ourselves to believe that we will never be able to overcome the demons of our past. And yet, this weekend, we celebrated the fact that Jesus gave His all, His very last breath, so that we could have a new life.

John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Pastor Ron reminded us that through our relationship with Christ, God offers us a life that is free from the bondage of our past (Col. 2:13-14). A life that is full of opportunities (1 Peter 1:3-4). A life that is focused as we follow Him (Phil. 1:6). A life that is fruitful as we accept His gift of salvation (Rom. 6:23). And, most importantly, a life that is forever with Him.

Louis Zamperini had a choice. He could allow the darkness of the prison camp to overtake him, or he could allow God’s healing power to restore and make new what was broken. He made the right choice. Will you?

1. Has there been a time in your life when you felt powerless and/or defeated?
2. What are some of the things that hold you prisoner as you seek to grow in your walk with Christ?
3. Are you willing to let go of those things that are holding you back?
4. What is one step you can take to overcome one of these barriers this week?