Spiritual Life:  my soul

Choices
by Linda Gleason

Life ever moves forward, never backward. How many times have we wished we could come to a screeching halt, ram the gearshift into reverse, back up and re-do the harsh words, the impulsive action, the tragedy, the mistake? We would give anything for just one chance to back up. But life moves on—one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one second at a time—each increment of time so very precious. And when that increment of time passes, it can never be recalled. Whether it proved profitable or unprofitable, it becomes history. We can never go back.

Thus we are compelled to treat life carefully. It isn't handed to us as a completed package—we get it one piece at a time. How can you "do" life right so that you won't feel the need to beg for opportunity to back it up and try again? The key lies within you; the key is the choices you make in those moments of time that present themselves to us each day.

Decisions! Every day we face them. Little decisions. Big decisions. Important decisions. Mundane decisions.

Many times they seem so insignificant that we hardly give them thought. When do I brush my teeth? What time do I go to bed? Where do I buy groceries? At other times, they seem so overwhelming that we back away from making them. What career should I choose? Whom should I marry? Should I make this location change? And sometimes we think they aren't so earth-shattering when they actually are setting the course for our life! Should I go to church tonight? Who do I want for a friend? Should I skip my devotions today? Those decisions—big and small—make up our life!

The path of life stretches far into the distance, and there is a great bright light that shines at the end beyond those beautiful gates of pearl. Familiar faces line the streets inside those gates and the sound of triumphant voices fall faintly on the ears. Can you see, also, the diversions—paths going astray? Can you hear the seducing voices of the world, the flesh, and the devil calling you to follow? Can you understand the grief that lies in the house of seducing voices? Have you heard the agonized cry of a human being pleading to back up-the heart wrenching sobs and moans of a life gone wrong?

It's kind of scary! This decision/choice thing! If we don't get it right, there's no going back. Parents, look behind! As far as the eye can see there follows generations who will be profoundly impacted by the decisions we are making right now! So we had better get it right!

How wonderful that He who knows the end from the beginning has given us explicit directions. He has also bestowed the gift of our pastor to help keep us on the right road. For there are many roads—but they do not all lead to heaven! "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 16:25). The "way" seemed right to the prodigal son—food, fun, and friends. He eventually made it back to the father's house, but his inheritance was gone forever-wasted. The "way" seemed right to Cain-fruits and veggies for the Creator. But he refused to realize that God doesn't allow us to write the plan. He writes it; we follow it!

Decisions. Yes, we must face them. Fortunately, if we keep daily communion with our Master and we closely follow our spiritual leaders, we can guide our family quietly past the grief-stricken room titled "Results of Wrong Choices!"