Intersections

We all make many choices and decisions in life. Some are good, some are bad (or poor decisions). But all of our choices have consequences.

Should I have that dark chocolate peanut butter cup or the assorted fruit platter? Sometimes, it's simply a matter of will.

Of course there are tougher choices we need to make. Should I accept this job at the Burger Barn or should I hold out for my dream job? Should I go out with this beautiful girl I hardly know (assuming she would even say "yes" -- her decision) or go out with this girl I'm just friends with?

One of my favorite TV shows is "The Amazing Race". I enjoy seeing the world and trying to live vicariously through the journeyers along their Amazing Race. Traveling through the different lands, different cultures, different foods, and just enjoying God's wonderful creation of this incredible planet are exciting to me. But just not so much the competition of the race I enjoy, I love seeing how these people react in their different circumstances.

I have always studied people sociologically and psychologically, which is helpful in writing believable scripts. Their scenarios and how they would react to something as their character needs to be believeable. The same occurs in directing actors by giving them "direction" as to their character they are portraying needs to have integrity throughout their character to be believable. That's just some insight I've learned in the movie-making process, but I digress.

That (in a round-about way) is how we choose what we do; how we react to something. If you are introverted, you would tend to internalize your reaction, introspectively. If you are extroverted, you would usually react (almost instantaneously) and perhaps regret what you just said later. That's just how most of us are wired.

Back to my example of the Amazing Race. Along their journey, they need to pick up clues called "Route Info" at specific stations along their route. On their way to their "Pit Stops", they have to go through "Road Blocks", where only one team member has to perform a task. "Yields" are when a team can hold back another team for a period of time. "U-Turns" are points where a team has an additional task to complete. "Intersections" (in their game) is where one team member joins with another team member of another team to complete the challenge. And "Detours" are where they have to CHOOSE which challenge to do. Choose poorly, and they get behind doing the challenge. Choose wisely, and they can complete the task without much difficulty.

I just used "Intersections" as a title, because it seems more descriptive of making that correct decision. Like the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz says to Dorothy, "This way? Or that way?" pointing to both directions, and getting wound up with his stringy arms in both directions. Let me reiterate the point: choose poorly and you get left behind. Choose wisely, and you can succeed with less pain and heartache.

That is how it is in life. If we can make wise choices, we can accomplish much in a short amount of time. If we make poor and unwise decisions, it impedes our process, and usually takes a longer time to get things done.

So looking at the big picture, have you made the ultimate decision? The ultimate decision? This is the decision to acknowledge we alone, outside of the Grace of God, cannot continue on this quest of life without a loving God and Savior, Jesus Christ, in our lives. If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, then you are on your way to the ultimate destination: Heaven. If you haven't yet made that decision, I urge you to consider the love and mercy of an all-knowing, all-seeing, yet personal God by praying to Him.

Heavenly Father, I know I need to choose the right path for my life, which is to accept Your Gift of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ into my life. Forgive me of my past, my sins, and cleanse me through the Holy and precious blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus conquered death on the Cross and now resides with You in Heaven. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can live a life pleasing to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

With that, your life can be restored and renewed. That is the best possible decision you can make. And then you are on the road to eternal life with our Father and Creator God.

Blessings,
Garret

One Step at a Time

It has been a while since my last blog entry, but I didn't want to write just anything. I know I have been using the metaphor of life is a journey and the journey should be enjoyed, so I will continue with that theme.


The past couple of weeks, I took time to enjoy life. For the Chinese New Year / Valentines Day / Presidents' Day weekend, I went home to the San Francisco Bay Area to see my mom and sister. Then the next weekend, I celebrated with a friend her six year anniversary being clean and sober going out to dinner. Then the next day, a bunch of our friends went to Lodi for a concert.


Despite a bittersweet work week, where "corporate" actually dismissed my boss and another in a high position for early retirement (I think), the remainder of us had to work through all the changes as the job required. Actually, our facility went through a state inspection, which revealed our facility was deficient in several areas, leading to the early retirements of those involved.


Like the metaphor of life is like a roller coaster, that week really was a downer week.


Then I had to attend to personal business. In my family history, there is occurrence of colon cancer. And I had some blood come out with bowel movements, so I needed to get that checked out. I had a consult and exam with the gastroenterologist's office and will soon schedule the colonoscopy.


The state returned to our facility with a surveyor in my area of safety and environment of care. Then we just received the report and make their recommended changes. Some policies and procedures at work had to be changed to comply with the state's findings.


Recently life has been tough, but it's part of life. C'est la vie. We just need to take life one step at a time.


Sure, there are deadlines as life demands. But in the greater scheme of things (especially for better mental and emotional health), we need to slow it down. Take your time. Mistakes are made when we rush through them. Haste makes waste. Be methodical.


It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor be hasty and miss the way. --Proverbs 19:2


Perhaps you've heard this one: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.


How can we survive this long journey of life with all of its ups and downs? One step at a time.


A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can understand his own way? --Proverbs 20:24


We need to be still and know God's direction for our lives. We cannot hear Him if we're not attentively listening to His direction. And that requires us to take our time, one step at a time.


Often life can be overwhelming. But don't give up. Perseverance is a mark of maturity. Giving up is a mark of immaturity.


So many times I've thought of giving up, throwing in the towel, accepting defeat. But you can not ever succeed if you just quit. Perseverance and diligence are good character qualities.


Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. -- 1 Timothy 4:16


So take a step of faith. If you have never taken the BIGGEST step of faith, accepting Jesus into your life as your personal Lord and Savior, all you need to do is to pray a simple prayer.


Lord Jesus, give me Your strength, Your wisdom and Your love. Please forgive me for my sins against You. Please help me walk with You in my life. Thank You for you are Holy and Almighty. In Jesus' name  I pray, Amen!


Have you taken that step of faith? Thank God for your life journey each and every day. It takes just one step at a time, but we can make it through life's journey with God's help.

Blessings,
Garret