“Live out of your imagination, not your history.” - Stephen Covey
Stephen Covey, the iconic author of the best-selling “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” died last week at age 79. Covey’s book, which may very well be the best selling “self-help” book of all time (unless you count Rick Warren’s “Purpose-Driven Life” as a self-help book). One of Covey’s cornerstone teachings comes from psychology, that each person possesses the ability to choose his or her own way in the world. I find this concept powerful, especially when compared to much of what was, at the time, and continues to be promulgated by major institutions in society that we are victims of our circumstances. Against this, Covey wrote that there is a space between stimulus and response and within that space is the freedom to choose.
This truth, actually, is not originated in psychology, although researchers have confirmed it through experimentation. The origin of the idea is Biblical. It never ceases to amaze me that as science moves forward, all truth is God’s truth. The timeless principles taught in Scripture are confirmed in studies delving into human nature.
“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days” (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19-20 NRSV). Perhaps the most important part of the creation of humans in the image of God is the freedom to choose. We get to choose life or death, prosperity or adversity. The power of choice is in our hands.
My personal history is important in forming me, but it is not determinative of my future. Nothing outside of me gets to determine my future, I do. God, in his Providence, chose to make us completely free, creative creatures. God gives us the gift of life and how we live our lives, what choices we make, are our gifts back to God.
No matter what lies in your past, your future can be full of blessing, hope, and fulfillment. Make a choice today to live in the direction of life!