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 2

Coming to a crossroads in life is not uncommon, although it may create uncertainty concerning which way to go. Changing directions has the potentiality for creating long-range, positive results or just the opposite. For each person whom God calls to be a follower of Jesus Christ, God continues to provide confidence of that calling throughout life.

A friend decided early in adolescence to be a career military officer. Three years into his first tour of duty he sensed God had other plans. To leave the military would mean giving up his dreams. This was a difficult choice, fraught with sadness and apprehension. However, he knew there would be a void in his life if he refused God’s call.

When the Apostle Paul was on his second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit prevented him from preaching the word in Asia. He later had a vision of a man of Macedonia begging him to come to his country and preach God’s word to them. As we seek God's will in prayer and with patience, He will make clear His plan and purpose for us.  

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.