If someone offered you untold treasure, but you had to let go of everything in your hands to take it, would you rather keep everything you already have or receive all that is being offered in Christ?

Sometimes, I play the “Would You Rather” game with my friends. It’s always interesting to see what people choose, as it reveals their priorities and character. You learn a lot about someone based on their choices. Some questions are silly and fun because one option is clearly preferable. Others present two unappealing choices. A good friend of mine often chooses neither. I’d tell him that you can’t do that; you have to pick one. You can’t have a little of both; you must choose one option. Those are the rules of the game.

This reminds me of Christ’s teaching that you can only serve one master. You can’t serve both a little. In a way, it’s like a poker game where you must push all your chips to one side. We don’t like that idea, do we? We want to be like my friend and say, “Neither,” or “A little of both.” We might even delude ourselves into thinking there’s an option C if we don’t like A or B. But according to Christ, there isn’t. There’s only option A: God’s will, His way, the path to righteousness through Christ Jesus. This path emphasizes spiritual growth and the production of the fruits of the Spirit, rather than self-seeking or gratifying physical desires. We don’t need to worry about physical things because God knows what we need. We seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and He adds everything else to us. Option A is a life of servanthood and sonship to the Lord.

Option B is the wide road of self-service and satisfaction. It’s the choice to pursue what you want, how you want, without considering the future or consequences. It’s all about feeling satisfied and indulging. Option B’s master is easy; he doesn’t give you wisdom for living. Instead, he says, “Do whatever you want. Anything you think is good. There’s no truth, and you’re not missing anything. Live for today; who cares about tomorrow?”

If option A is going all in with God and submitting to His will, and option B is serving your flesh and fulfilling all desires, then what is option C that people like to pretend exists?

To be clear, option C isn’t real, it’s an illusion. It’s what people tell themselves when they’re doing option B but want to believe they’re somehow fulfilling option A. Option C says, “Sure, God is my master, but because He’s loving and forgiving, I can pursue my life as I want.” This is the path of delusion many people take. They think option C is different from option B, but it’s not. Option B has a section that comes close to option A, but it’s not the same. It’s close enough to make people feel like they’re on the right path while still having what they want.

This isn’t a popular message, and many will stop reading because they don’t want to hear the truth. Many, like my friend, want to say, “I want a little of both,” or “I don’t want to choose.” But not acting is still a choice. Scripture says there’s a way that seems right to man, but its end is death. That’s what option C is, or option B Part 2. My challenge to you is to ask yourself what choice you’re making each day. We all make a choice.

Recently, I took time to focus on the Lord because I realized some things weren’t right in my heart and life. As I spent time in the Word, I found the contentment, peace, and healing I needed. I thought those things would come in other ways, but they were only found in the Lord. One night, as I read the Word and prayed, I wept in wonder. Everything I needed was already there, but my hands were full. I couldn’t take hold of what God was offering. I wanted to believe I was on option A, but I was on option C. I thought I could serve myself and God because there were things I wanted. But those things don’t bring peace or healing. Only when I fully surrendered did I find what I needed. I had to deny myself, as Christ says, to pick up my cross and follow Him.

I’m not the only believer who has struggled with the propensity to edge toward option C. We tell ourselves we’re okay but wonder why we’re struggling and not at peace. God is there with everything we need, but we have to let go of everything else. Have you pushed all your chips to His side of the table? Have you surrendered every area of your life to the Lord? Do you say, as Jesus did, “Not my will, but Yours be done, Lord”? Are you willing to answer these questions honestly and consider what you’re choosing? I’m not saying believers don’t have bills and needs. I’m not saying we should sell everything and preach on the streets day and night. Some may be called to that, but others are not. We are called to abandon our pursuits and concerns for things God will take care of and focus on doing His will each day, sharing His hope and truth, and being more concerned about our spirit than gratifying our flesh.

The world will tell you there are unlimited ways and combinations to choose from, but the reality is there’s only option A, the narrow road, or option B, the wide road, which encompasses all other letters. Have you looked down lately? Do you know which path you’re walking on? In this “Would You Rather” game, what answer are your actions choosing? The road has an ending, so your choice matters. Think about it and choose carefully.

Do you believe you’re on option A? Have you looked at your hands lately? Can you lay hold of Him and all He has for you, or are your hands already full? Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re fully pursuing God when you’re only doing so when it’s convenient or aligns with your will. That’s not submission or surrender.

I realized the misalignment in my spirit was because I was making the path crooked. I repented and now remind myself daily that I am a bondservant, a servant by choice to the will of my Father. I still make mistakes, but I have contentment and peace because I’m not seeking something elusive or drinking from what the world offers. Instead, I’m drawing from the well that satisfies the soul. It’s a choice, and I was making the wrong one. To anyone on the road I was on, I offer encouragement and hope. The peace, contentment, and joy you seek are available, but you won’t find them through the world’s distractions. Partial surrender is not full submission. To lay hold of what God has for you, you must let go of everything in your hands. I pray you have the courage to deny yourself and take up your cross. Experience the joy of full freedom and spiritual abundance beyond imagination.

So, I ask you today, God is offering you untold treasure with worth beyond what we can imagine, are you willing to let go of everything in your hands to take it?