Choosing Sides!

Someone has said, "No one can go anywhere while straddling the fence." If that sounds confusing, go find a fence and do a little experiment and find out what happens. Such a person is stuck where they are. A choice needs to be made between the sides of the fence. Are we in or are we out?

Life is filled with choices, some of more significance than others. However, there are many areas of life where people seem to like "straddling the fence." Perhaps they are not sure what to choose or maybe they like spending time on both sides. When it comes to the direction of our life, choices must be made and be made wisely! Trying to keep one leg in both worlds (the way of God and the way of the world) does not lend toward progress either way.

In Jeremiah we read. . .
"Thus says the LORD: "STAND by the roads, and LOOK, and ASK for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and WALK in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"" ( Jeremiah 6:16 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads. . .
"So now the LORD says, "Stop right where you are! Look for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!'" (NLT, © 1997, Tyndale House)

The New International Version refers to this as standing at the "crossroads". That is what we face anytime there is a decision to be made. Sometimes we need to stop for a moment and take a good look at where we are. However, the exhortation is not to remain there. What is needed is to look carefully, inquire regarding the "good way", and then choose to WALK IN IT. That WALKING is not possible if we remain "straddling the fence." Not making a decision is deciding to remain where we are.

Just like Joshua encouraged Israel ( Joshua 24:15) let us choose GOD'S SIDE and WALK IN IT! As God pointed out through Jeremiah, the blessing is that it is there we will find rest for our souls. May we respond, "Yes, that's the road we want!"

Have a great day ENJOYING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD'S SIDE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Choice