Charles Spurgeon said,

“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

Lisa Whittle’s book Jesus over Everything: Uncomplicating the Daily Struggle to Put Jesus First feels like an extension of this quote as it shows us what it looks like to distinguish between right and almost right.

I don’t know about you, but for me, it is so easy to justify the “almost right” in my life!

The truth is it isn’t that hard to choose between something good and something bad. It can, however, be difficult to choose between something good and something better. Because the “better” choice doesn’t always mean easier, more pleasant, more lucrative, or more fun, it doesn’t always seem to be better. But Lisa reminds us that the better choice is always Jesus, even when choosing Jesus brings humility, unpleasant consequences, or loss of relationships because choosing Jesus leads to peace, holiness, and wisdom.

Lisa stepped on my toes again and again, and I realized how deeply the message had penetrated when I encountered a “Jesus over Everything” choice recently:

One of the effects of the COVID lockdown, mask mandates, and cultural unrest has been a strain on my marriage. And one weekend, I had enough. Mark and I weren’t talking except to accomplish the daily routines. We weren’t saying goodbye as he left for work, acknowledging when the other walked in the room, or saying good night at the end of the day.

When Sunday dawned, I had already decided I wasn’t going to church. I didn’t want to sit in the pew next to him and pretend that everything was fine. After all, authenticity is the name of the game these days. As I got ready for the day, fully intending to put on my yoga pants and announce to my family that I would be watching the service online, I felt the nudge.

You know the nudge, right? The one that brings questions to mind where you have to justify your decisions? The one that you try to reason away?

Why do you go to church in the first place, Kelli?

What are you teaching your kids if you don’t go to church today?

What are you teaching them if you do go?

And trust me, I had all of the justifications ready! After all, I grew up in the church. There’s no place in Scripture where it says I have to go to church every time the doors are open. It’s legalistic to think that I have to go to every single service!

But that’s the beauty of a “Jesus over Everything” choice. It’s not about your justifications of the “good” thing; it’s about submitting to the “best” thing.

That’s when the Holy Spirit asked, “Who is taking first place in your reasoning?”

Ouch! There it was, the question that brought clarity. I wanted Mark to sit in that pew alone that day. I wanted to teach him a lesson and stay home sulking at the same time. I wanted to manipulate him into fighting it out with me. This wasn’t about legalism or even self-preservation. It was pride and selfishness.

Well, I went to church. I sat in the pew and watched Mark sit transfixed by the message. I didn’t pretend everything was fine, but I did feel my heart softening as I heard the Word preached. And by the time we left the church building that day, Mark and I were talking again. 

What if I had settled for “almost right” instead of pursuing the “Jesus over Everything” choice? Only God knows what the outcome would have been, and I can honestly say I’m glad I don’t know.

Sister, I encourage you to read Lisa’s book. No matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, you will find applicable truth that will help you distinguish the “right” from the “almost right” in your life, too. And there is no telling what God will do with your life once you’ve chosen Jesus over everything!

If you want to learn more about how to study the Bible on your own, download my FREE workbook below.

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