So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Your most important decision.

If I were to ask you, what is the most important decision you have ever made? what would you reply?

Was it deciding on the school you would attend? Did it revolve around a marriage proposal?

Was it about moving into a new house? Did it involve an assisted-living transition? What was it?

With so many big decisions to be made, picking the most important can be difficult.

According to NBC news, Hal Halvorsen has no difficulty naming his top choice. He says his biggest decision was giving candy to children. Actually, it was using parachutes to drop candy to children who were isolated in war-ravaged West Berlin.

After World War II, the Russians tried to take control of Berlin by shutting it off. Roads were closed; trains were stopped, and the city of 2 million inhabitants began to feel the pinch.

To save the city, the U.S. Air Force supplied Berlin by air. By the time the Russian blockade was withdrawn, 227,569 flights had landed at Berlin's Tempelhof field.

The Germans were pleased with the great American plan, but they became ecstatic when the giant airlift became personal. Making the plan personal was Hal's smartest decision. He and other airmen used mini-parachutes to drop candy to the children. Hundreds of letters of gratitude poured in. One little girl gave Hal her only possession: a worn out teddy bear. She said, "I want you to have it to keep you and the other fliers safe on your trips to Berlin."

Think about it: Hal's greatest decision of life was to put together a plan of salvation.

Now I don't know if God would say the promise to send His Son to save sinful humanity was His greatest decision. Creation most certainly would rank somewhere near the top, as well.

I do know this: in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Father's plan to save us became incarnate and was personalized. In Jesus I know my sins are forgiven and my damnation averted.

God's great grace was given a face, and the face belonged to Jesus.

And if you don't have a teddy bear to show your appreciation to the Lord, let me tell you how Luther responded to the Savior's love. The reformer said, "It is my duty to thank and to praise, to serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true."

THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, for sending Your Son to rescue me, You have my deepest appreciation. Since You alone have saved me, I cannot say salvation is my best choice; it is purely a gift. On the other hand, like Luther, I can thank and praise Your personalized plan of salvation. In Jesus, I thank you. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 67, 71    Philippians 2

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