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