There are numerous lovely works of art on the shelves of any Christian bookstore. Inspirational sayings and excerpts from Scripture are embossed across peaceful-looking paintings. One of the frequent verses that I’ve noticed comes from Joshua 24:15, and what is usually printed reads: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” What does that really mean, though? In addition, what is the context of the verse? (<<By the way, those are two good questions to ask yourself & research anytime you see a verse isolated by itself.)

Joshua 24 starts out with the leader of Israel (Joshua, the one who succeeded Moses) calling together the tribes of Israel for a stern talking-to about how they have repeatedly shown disrespect to God. Joshua reminded the people about the miracles that the Lord performed concerning Abraham and Isaac, the incredible way he delivered them from slavery during Moses’ tenure, not to mention the numerous battles that God intervened in to help the Israelites overcome their enemies.

The people had forgotten (yet again) about God’s faithfulness. Joshua called them out and said that if serving the Lord—really, truly serving him wholeheartedly—was too much to ask, then they needed to turn away and make their homes among the foreigners. That’s when he said the famous line; Joshua reiterated that he and his family would choose to follow the one true God.

We may not be facing plagues of locusts or waging war against the Amorites, but we, too, have a choice. Will we worship the Christ of Christmas just during this season, or will we conscientiously choose to follow him tomorrow, and the next day, and next week, and next month, and years from now? Will we turn our backs and pretend to not remember the many, many blessings he has given us, or will we be like Joshua and stand up to the world in His name? The choice is ours.