Lessons Learned on the Journey

Freedom of choice, a politically charged phrase, comes laden with dangers rarely considered. In his book, The Beginning of Wisdom: Reading Genesis, Leon Kass says that man’s opportunity for choice often ends in "the ability to make himself miserable." Defiantly, with pride, I often choose misery over the hard choices for good.

Amazingly, God allows us to choose. I have known that sick feeling that can overwhelm me when I have made a poor choice that can not be reversed. I know I am not alone. The Bible is filled with stories of such people. God is amazingly gracious as we seek Him in the aftermath of a poor choice.

Some choices cause temporal misery. For instance, eating wisely, driving safely, or prudently planning financially can be easily ignored by me. I must constantly be reminded to make choices based not on short-term pleasure but on long-term benefits.

Other choices, however, can cause eternal misery. Joshua gives the children of Israel a choice. He tells them to throw away the gods (idols) that the Israelites brought into the Promised Land and challenges them saying, " . . .choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

Our choices this week will make a difference.