There is a game that many of you have played called “Would You Rather?”
In this game someone asks the question “Would You Rather?” followed by two options that are almost identically horrible or distasteful. Would You Rather lick a public picnic table or try and pick up a skunk? As you can see, neither is all that satisfying or even desirable.
Sometimes, life can present us with similar dilemmas. Do we want to keep working for a difficult boss or change jobs for a salary cut? In order to fix the transmission on the car do we want to go without food or keep the lights on?
Maybe your life hasn’t had so many of these difficult decisions of late, but you know they are coming.
Decisions that present us with two difficult options can be trying, but so can simple decisions about whether or not you get to do something you enjoy. Every Friday (my normal day off), I consider all that I have not accomplished during the week and weigh it against going fishing.
If I go fishing, I might be able to enjoy myself (if the other things I am not doing let me), but I may pay a price when Saturday comes and my list of things to do has only grown larger.
If you aren’t groaning with me at this point, let me bring the social battles we face into view. Elections are coming up, and we may wish we had different options or just better options.
Social reforms are so constant nowadays it can feel like the whole world is constantly in verbal wars with each other. Everyone has a cause they want to fight about.
Are you groaning with me now?
I have always loved the Hymn, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” George Beverly Shea used to sing it in Billy Graham Crusades. It basically talks about all that we would give up, because we would rather have Jesus.
In the Hymn’s case, it is about the things we often value that we would give up; but why can’t we also think about the bad choices we would gladly give up as well? I believe there is room to do just that.
I’ve decided to start a revolution of sorts. It’s a small one. I won’t be protesting anywhere special. I won’t be blocking traffic or marching to the Capitol. I don’t intend to do harm to any property or anyone personally.
This revolution is just about how to lighten difficult options. It’s a way to rebel against being forced to constantly be angry and frustrated over decisions someone else determines I must make. It’s also a way to possibly diffuse heated rhetoric or uncomfortable exchanges and head in a different, possibly more positive direction.
When I am asked to choose between two difficult choices I am going to let my questioner know “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” Who would I like to see as the next President of the United States?
I’d Rather Have Jesus. See how that works? I know there are some that would argue, but not many. Would I rather fix the car, keep the lights on or eat?
I’d Rather Have Jesus. It sets the Lord at the center of the dilemma and gives hope. Think about the many ways this phrase can brighten your day and even bring a little levity. We still have to make the difficult decisions, but maybe we can do so with a little bit of joy.
Would I rather do my household chores this Friday or go fishing?
In truth, I’d Rather Have Jesus.
Join the revolution.
Pastor Rich Cummings was called to Emmanuel Baptist Church in August 2022 and he has been a pastor since 2006. He has an MDiv from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He may be reached at rich@ebccassville.com.
