I want to lose 10 or 15 pounds and I know what I have to do. I should exercise quite a bit more and eat a little less. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if I chose to do those simple things, and then did them, I would lose the weight. I know what I have to do and now it’s totally up to my choosing…

…but those easy, too-good-to-be-true weight-loss solutions I see on TV in the wee hours of the morning sure are more enticing. If I just keep waiting for something that is going to take the work and time out of the process, I’ll jump in. It’s worth waiting for. I can live with these extra pounds a little longer.

I’m starting to see that my attempt to follow Jesus is more like that than I ever realized before. The Word of God, both written and breathed, is pretty clear. The patriarchs and judges and prophets and the Savior were very crisp and consistent about what I am to do and who I am to be. A pretty simple message, really, if taken at face value. Something I could choose to do if I had the heart and desire and faith to. But, simple doesn’t mean easy, and I keep waiting for something a little easier. Maybe a “secret key” to living the Christian life that I’ve missed before. Maybe an epiphany. Maybe a Holy-Spirit-transformation that will somehow make me want to do the right thing and be the right thing.

I believe that there are mysteries in our faith, and people do have legit epiphanies and holy transformations. There are many things beyond my will-power, and most things that God has to control, not me. But, I believe that the ability to choose to do what I know is right and righteous is within my power most of the time, and I simply choose not to…

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Apostle Paul voiced his frustration with knowing-what-to-do-and-not-doing-it. I’m not half the man he was. I’m sure that I can’t totally be my own master either. But I also can’t let God (or Paul) be my excuse for not doing what I’ve been told or for doing what I know is wrong. I can’t believe any more that God will come and overpower me with the right choices or that He will propel my body, against my will, to do what is right. That is a rapid-weight-loss scam and a get-rich-quick scheme, and I can’t buy into it.

It all comes down to believing in the reality of God, believing that what He says is true, and believing that was He has spoken is out of love and care for me. If I can grasp those things, I can trust Him. If I can trust Him, I can take the risk of simply choosing to do what He says: Pray. Search the Scriptures. Give up my possessions for those in need. Live for today. Surrender my sense of self-preservation to Him. Listen for His voice. Go where He sends me. Love unconditionally. Introduce other people to Him. Bring beauty to my surroundings for His fame.

I can choose to do all of that and He loves me enough to allow me to make the choice. His own design dictates that the only thing He doesn’t have the power to do is force me to choose what is right.