In a recent crisis, a popular politician was heard to say to his aide, “About that charge that I’m indecisive. Do you think I should answer it. . .or let it go. . .or answer it in part. . .or what?” That reminded me of what a man did whose home was on the border that separated the North and the South during the American Civil War. He didn’t want to take sides so he wore a Confederate Army jacket and Union Army pants. But he ran into trouble. The Union soldiers shot at his jacket and the Confederates shot him in the pants! Indecisiveness has its downsides. Indecisiveness comes with a price. And often the wounds are deep and the scars are indelible.
Decision making is important in ordinary life. It’s crucial in the Christian’s life. But if we are going to experience God we must expect a life with complex choices and alluring enticements. There will be slippery slopes. . .dark valleys. . .steep climbs. . . stormy nights. . .sunless days. And all are forks in the road. They are turning points or possible tipping points that serve to refine our faith and sharpen our vision for God. The right decision brings celebration and serves to enhance our faith. The wrong decision brings pain and often serves to weaken our resolve.
When you find yourself at one of those ‘fork-in-the-road’ decisions remember who you are. Remember who chose you. Remember your faith. Don’t sacrifice your faith for popularity or power or pleasure or prestige. Surrendering your faith at the fork in the road is a step away from the cross, and it’s also a giant step closer to the One who put Jesus there.
Aren’t you glad that when Jesus came to the fork in the road he chose to travel the one with a cross on it?
Choose life. . .Eternal life!
