曉南在一個信仰基督的家庭中長大，但他在就讀大學時偏離了兒時的信仰，開始酗酒並熱衷於參加派對等事物。然而，正如曉南所說的，在他最不配的時候，上帝把他帶回身邊。後來，曉南花了一個夏季的時間在美國各大城市的街道上，與陌生人分享耶穌。如今，他在自己的教會即將完成青少年事工的實習。曉南的目標是幫助年輕人不再虛度光陰，只為基督而活。

就像曉南一樣，以色列人的領袖摩西也關心下一代。摩西知道自己很快就要交出領導的工作，於是向百姓傳達了上帝頒布的美好的律例，並且清楚指出順服和悖逆的後果：順服帶來祝福和生命；悖逆帶來咒詛和死亡。摩西告訴百姓：「你要揀選生命，使你和你的後裔都得存活；且愛耶和華你的上帝，⋯⋯因為祂是你的生命」（申命記30章19-20節）。摩西敦促百姓要愛上帝，「聽從祂的話，專靠祂」（20節）。

選擇犯罪就要面對其後果。然而，當我們再次將自己生命的主權交給上帝時，祂必會憐憫（2-3節）、復興我們（4節）。這個應許在以色列民的歷史中實現了，而且也藉著耶穌在十字架上成就的救贖大工，使我們能與上帝建立親密的關係。今天我們也有選擇權，能自由地選擇蒙福的生命。

Nathan grew up in a Christ-believing household, but he started to stray from his childhood faith as a college student into things like drinking and partying. “God brought me back to Himself when I didn’t deserve it,” he said. In time, Nathan spent a summer sharing Jesus with strangers on the streets of major US cities, and is now completing a residency in youth ministry at his church. Nathan’s goal is to help young people avoid wasting time not living for Christ.

Like Nathan, the Israelite leader Moses had a heart for the next generation. Knowing he would soon relinquish leadership, Moses delivered God’s good regulations to the people and then lists the results of either obedience or disobedience: blessing and life for obedience, cursing and death for disobedience. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live,” he told them, “for the Lord is your life” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Moses urged them to love God, “listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him” (v. 20).

Choosing sin brings consequences. But when we surrender our lives to God again, He’ll surely have mercy (vv. 2-3) and restore us (v. 4). This promise was fulfilled throughout the people of Israel’s history, but also by Jesus’ final work on the cross to bring us into fellowship with God. We too have a choice today and are free to choose life.