Making the Right Choices
Who might be one or more of the people you would like to meet when you get to heaven, provided they are there? I’ve thought about this a lot lately. I think I would like to have a conversation with Adam and Eve.
I would have four words for them: What were you thinking? Do you not realize the pain, suffering, and hardships your choice of going against God’s will has caused all of us?
When giving birth, women have Adam and Eve to thank for the pain of childbirth. When sweating and working the land for food, we have Adam and Eve to thank. When we pay unbelievable dollars for clothing, we can thank Adam and Eve. Because of them, it’s no longer comfortable to go around unclothed. Because of their choice, we have suffered numerable consequences of their sin.
In my life, I think of instances of where I have said or done something or not said or done something that resulted in unnecessary suffering for others. If you take a moment, you could do the same thing. And as uncomfortable as it may be to do this exercise, you will notice that others have suffered because of some of your choices over the years as well.
I think of the person who had much and who had done so little for others. Perhaps you are like this person, Ebenezer Scrooge. Like him, you too can change. He did. He became the best boss and friend a person could ever have. While the three spirits visited him and showed him his shortcomings, you need only to stop, think, and reflect on your own life to experience your own shortcomings. And like I said, you too can change, just like old Mr. Scrooge.
Today could be a day of change for you. Today you could choose to make better choices in your life so that your life is enriched and the lives of others are enriched.
God says it and I claim it. “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” If you follow the Lord, the consequences of what you do will be far better than the consequences of not following him.
In my conversation with Adam and Eve, I am sure they will have plenty of examples in order to say to me: “What were you thinking, Lyle? Look at the consequences your choices made.”
To the person who decides to drink and drive, killing someone in the process, Adam and Eve can say, “What were you thinking?”
To the person who decides to have an affair, destroying a relationship with their spouse and destroying the family life of their children, Adam and Eve can say, “What were you thinking?”
To the young person who decided to try drugs, only to realize that he or she can no longer stop, ruining his or her life and future, Adam and Eve can say, “What were you thinking?”
My point is this: We all need to make better choices that make life better for ourselves and for others. I pray that we will, in Jesus’ name. Amen.