Jeremiah 17:5-8
This is what the LORD says: 
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, 
who rely on human strength 
and turn their hearts away from the LORD. 
They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, 
with no hope for the future. 
They will live in the barren wilderness, 
in an uninhabited salty land. 

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD 
and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. 
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, 
with roots that reach deep into the water. 
Such trees are not bothered by the heat 
or worried by long months of drought. 
Their leaves stay green, 
and they never stop producing fruit.” (NLT)

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“Choose your own adventure.” 

Video game makers and travel planners enjoy using this kind of language to attract eyeballs and wallets. Real life often attempts to imitate this mindset. What Judah faced in Jeremiah’s days was not fun and games. Instead, it was death and destruction. 

What God warned his people about when they entered the Promised Land had become a most unpleasant reality. Go back to Deuteronomy 27 and see the curses God warned them about. See the blessings of obedience in chapter 28. Hear God’s invitation to choose life in chapter 30:11-30. 

We are not ancient Judah. This is not the Promised Land. We do, however, still live with the consequences of our choices. Choosing our way instead of God’s way still leads us where we do not want to go. Choosing God’s way leads to the good life we most deeply desire. 

Verses 7 and 8 tell us a bit of what the good life looks like. It says we can live lives that are intentionally planted, deeply rooted, and unendingly refreshed. It says we can live fruitful lives. 

I prefer this kind of adventure. I prefer the good life God provides those who know and love him, and who hear and obey him. 

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I will choose the adventure of God’s abundant goodness.

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Our Father, I want to know and experience you. I want to live a fruitful life. I want to help others choose your great adventure. Amen.