“And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:28
Choices. We all make them every day. Some choices are simple, while others can be a little more difficult. Sometimes we make a choice and regret it later. Sometimes the choices we make change the direction of our lives. Sometimes those choices affect the lives of others.
Recently, while watching a movie, the narrator made this comment, “Every path we take leads to another choice. Some choices can change everything – every moment for the rest of your life.”
We are all traveling this road of life. As we travel, many of us face obstacles, cross bridges of rushing waters, navigate rough terrain, and climb mountains with the hope of finding rest in the valley. Along the road are many side paths that we either choose to take or leave behind. As I look back over my life, I see many paths I took that led to choices that placed me where I am today. Sometimes, the path I chose wasn’t the best path. It caused delays and caused me to grow weary, often leaving me defeated and discouraged and truthfully, not knowing what direction to turn. Then, the heaviness of regret would weigh on my shoulders. I would wonder how any good could ever come out of a not-so-good choice…
I have learned, and I’m still learning, that along this road of life, even when I don’t make the right choices, that everything can still work for my good because God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him. He can take all the mistakes, bad choices and regrets and cause them all to work together to produce good results! That’s just how gracious and merciful He is! Oftentimes, what’s intended to harm us, God turns it around for good! He can turn any situation around as long as we humble ourselves and surrender our lives to Him. He did that for Joseph after his brothers disowned him and sent him to the pit. They intended harm for Joseph, yet God intended it for good! The pit made a way to the palace!
God understands choice. After all, He has given us the power of choice – free will. He respects our choices enough to allow us to make them. I remember the first time I read Psalm 37:6 – “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and he will help you.” I realized just how simple it was! All I had to do when faced with a decision or choice was commit my ways, my plans, to God. I needed to trust Him, knowing He would help me along the road. As I leaned on Him more, the better choices I made! Why? Because His love is so great for me and for you that He only wants the very best for us! “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
I’m reminded of one of the first poems which left a lasting impression on my heart, and I’ll leave it with you today:
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.