I’ve compiled a list of things I could write about. Obviously, I steer toward topics I have personal experience with. In order to convince readers of something, it helps if I can say, “Been there. Done that. Bought the lousy shirt”. But I also think that’s often taking the easy road. Predictable almost.
There’s also a list of things I could write about that would spark (hopefully) civil discourse. Something that would challenge our thinking and force us to consider where we might actually be wrong.
It’s your choice. It should be your choice. You get to choose. Those are all statements that conjure up a long list of responses. I could never unpack all of it. But let’s give this some attention for a few paragraphs.
I’ve made some incredibly poor choices in my life. Some had intense repercussions. Others might have gone almost unnoticed. I drank a lot of alcohol as a teenager, and I smoked a fair amount of pot. I had sex for the first time at the age of 15.
My list could keep us busy for quite a while.
I know friends who have had abortions. Others have been guilty of adultery. Some have stolen from employers. We’re dishonest on our taxes. Or maybe we lied about having plans, so we didn’t have to spend time with “them” tomorrow night. It really doesn’t matter. Big or small. We’re making choices every single day.
The Bible is full of one story after another. Choices. That’s literally where it all started. Adam and Eve made a choice. Moses made a choice. Abraham, David, Daniel, Hosea, John, Peter, and Mary Magdalene; they each found themselves there, too.
Have you ever found yourself contemplating something with your spouse? When was the last time you were at a crossroad in life? Have you ever been in a position with a child that you didn’t ask for? Can you sympathize with David lusting after someone that isn’t your spouse? What about the last time you decided to do something else instead of having committed time with God or going to church? Have you been convicted or called to do something that seemed extremely outrageous? Or maybe you’ve been “in your boat fishing” but you know you’re supposed to be doing something else. Don’t tell me the Bible isn’t relevant or you can’t relate. Because each of those scenarios come straight from the Bible. Every single day we get to make decisions. We get to choose. But here’s where some of you will leave me. Your choices have consequences.
One of the most notable examples of decisions that have consequences can be found in looking at the Israelites. Repeatedly they find themselves facing the consequences of their choices. Did they want a king (like other nations) even though God told them He was the only King? Yes. Did they worship other gods? Yes. They did “all the things”. Those decisions all came with a price. And it wasn’t cheap.
Don’t manipulate the Bible to say what you want to hear so that you feel better. That’s dangerous. But we also shouldn’t presume to know or understand everything. That’s a problem as well.
So now I guess I should take you back to my story. My days of drinking and smoking in an environment I knew wasn’t healthy or right is still impacting my life today.
I wouldn’t trade Brandon (my oldest son) for anything. I love him well beyond his understanding. But he was born into that unhealthy world. And even though I walked away from it and never looked back, he remains entangled. My decision had consequences. Now the choice lies with him.
Certainly, I have countless other life experiences that demonstrate the power of our daily choices. But I’m approaching my word count threshold, so I need to wrap this up.
I don’t care what decision you’re faced with, you can never say, “It doesn’t affect anyone else” or “it doesn’t concern anyone else”. I promise you this: IT DOES. You may not understand it. But it does. We live in relationship with other people. We aren’t stuck on Mars by ourselves. What we say, what we do, the decisions and choices we make: THEY MATTER. They have consequences. For good and bad. One day, I’ll be standing before a holy God, and I’ll have to answer for all of those times in my life. But you’re right. It’s your choice.
Deuteronomy 30:19 ~ I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life…