The Bible tells us we are wonderfully complex. That’s why, to fulfill God’s purpose for us, we must look at every dimension of our lives and understand five factors that influence our identity. 

In the past few weeks, we have looked at the ways that our chemistry, our connections, our circumstances, and our consciousness affect the way we are shaped.

If these factors were like the cards we’re dealt in a card game, then the fifth factor would be our wild card. 

Why? Because that card represents our choices and affects all of our other cards. We may not be able to control the hand we were dealt, but we can use our wild cards to change the way we live our lives by the choices we make.

Unlike animals, we were created in the image of God. Dogs have instinct, but they don’t know the difference between right and wrong. Elephants have no moral compass. But we get to choose to do right or wrong. 

The freedom to choose is humanity’s greatest blessing and also our greatest curse, because we make foolish choices that harm us and everyone around us.

The wild card of choice means:

-  We didn’t choose our connections, but we can make new relationships and mend or nurture the ones we already have.

-  We can choose how we respond to our circumstances.

-  We can choose to stop believing the harmful things people say to us.

Our character is shaped by our choices.

What choices will you make today that will positively affect the rest of your life?