Critical Choices & Long-range Consequences - Part 3

Life is like time, always in transition and always moving forward rather than standing still. Yet there are circumstances that seem to contradict this reality. I read an article about a mother and father whose adult son was murdered a decade earlier. This loss was so devastating that healing had not taken place, even after a decade of grief.

Most of us may never experience such desolation, yet we will face our own crossroads experiences. Lack of vengeance does not imply forgiveness has taken place, but it gives credence to the fact that forgiveness is difficult to achieve. All of us need to be forgiven by those we've hurt just as we need to forgive those who have offended us.

Vengeance can be acted out passively by withdrawing from the offending person and internalizing the pain. God's word has two specific reminders for us. "'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord," and "Be angry, but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger." Crossroads choices can bring about healing for you and others. 

Critical Choices & Long-range Consequences - Part 1

Facing life-changing decisions is not readily forgotten because choices have lasting consequences. John Mark, who later wrote the Gospel of Mark, decided in the middle of their first mission trip to abandon Paul and Barnabas and go home. Later Barnabas wanted to include him on their second trip, but Paul refused to trust his immaturity as seen in Mark’s earlier choice.

Did John Mark regret his decision to desert Paul and Barnabas when he packed up and went home? Everyone will encounter crossroads in life, and most of these encounters create anxiety or even desperation. A young man caught up in gang activities during the 1970's was invited to attend a Billy Graham Crusade and, to his own dismay, agreed to attend.

His crossroads experience came as he realized God spoke directly to him through the message and invitation. Resistance was powerful, but yielding to God's call was overwhelming. Today that man pastors a church that is making a difference for Christ Jesus and the Kingdom of God. God gives peace to the person making the right choice.

Choosing at the Crossroads - Part 2

Life is progressively in transition, moving forward rather than standing still. We often find ourselves at a crossroads where pressure nudges us to make a decision to keep moving in some direction. Consider the mother and father whose adult son had been murdered. It is still devastating for them to remember, after a decade of grief, because healing may progress very slowly.

Forgiveness was extended to the killer, but discontent lingers even though the murderer received the death sentence. Forgiveness can be difficult when perpetrators refuse to seek forgiveness for the pain they've inflicted. Christians need to pursue forgiveness for having hurt others as well as to forgive those who have hurt and offended them.

Vengeance will neither satisfy nor hasten healing. God's word has specific instructions for managing revenge. First, turn it over to him. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord." Another directive is, "Be angry, but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger." Life at the crossroads offers choices that can bring healing and goodness to you and others. 

Choosing at the Crossroads - Part 1

Everyone standing at a crossroads has made mistakes and chosen less than the honorable, upright way to live. Standing at a crossroads, where decisions and choices are critical, may seem overwhelming. A helicopter pilot in Vietnam was unable to rescue a soldier from a fire fight. He misjudged the situation and consequently the soldier died.

"Not a day goes by that I do not think about the soldier I let die," mourned  the pilot. Compounding his torment was his refusal to share this guilt and grief with his family. Secret-keeping results in secret suffering of self-incrimination. Crossroads experiences can be disturbing, but they need not be devastating. All humans make errors in judgment.

Jesus instructs us to make things right. Do whatever it takes to make amends for poor judgment, mistakes, and deliberate acts of anger. If this is impossible, own up to your weakness and confess it to Christ; seek forgiveness and comfort as you grieve for yourself. Tell others you're suffering, and ask God for strength and grace to endure.