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We are faced with choices every day. Some are routine and simply how we navigate each day: What's for dinner? Do we have plans tonight? Others about jobs, family and where we want to live, carry a heavier impact. The choices we make help us navigate life and guide how we interact with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and others we encounter each day. We have the freedom to choose what we want to do, where we want to go, who we want to spend time with and how we use our resources.

The freedom to make choices for our own life, however, carries a responsibility to understand that what we do has an impact on others. Our free will and the choices we make afford us the power to help others, if we so choose. In Galatians 5:13, the Apostle Paul writes that our freedom should not be used only to satisfy our own wants or desires, but to "serve one another humbly in love." The needs of others should be a part of how we choose to spend our money, our time and our energy. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus teaches that the way we care for others demonstrates our love for Him. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:35-36). The choices we make have the power to help others understand that they are loved by the God who created them. What will you choose to do today to help another?
Michelle Andrews is the director of discipleship and care at Valencia United Methodist Church. umcv.org

Don't Miss Christ Lutheran Church's Mid-summer Family Fest
On Wednesday, July 18 from 5pm to 7pm, enjoy free games, crafts, entertainment, facepainting and more circus-themed fun, including a live animal show by Animal Tracks. Nosh on a delicious variety of sweet and savories from popular food trucks as you get to know the CLC community. All ages welcome.
come2christ.com