In the face of a decision, Jon and I are looking for all of the advice we can get. In today's world, simple truths are worth repeating.
I want to thank Professor Mackey for sharing this poem [ it might be long, but gleaning wisdom is never a short undertaking ]
CHOICE OR CONSEQUENCE ?
The consequence…
That means the thing that is bound to follow,
as inevitably tied to choice and action
as a shadow to an object standing in the sun.
Every man is free to choose:
He may say “yes” when ought to say “no”;
He may break the laws of nature and custom
He may parade before God and man in brazen defiance
He is free to choose.
But he is NOT free to choose the consequence of his choice.
There his freedom stops.
Choose the broad way---and it will lead to destruction.
Choose the narrow way---and it will lead to life.
Choose to live for self—and it will lead to captivity
Choose to live for others—and it will lead to freedom.
Choose to live for Satan—and you will
dance to his tune and
at the end of his string.
Choose to live for Christ—and you will
stand tall,
walk free,
live in joy and
abound in hope.
The choice is never beyond your control;
The consequence is always beyond your control.
The choice is yours and so is the consequence,
The one you make—and the other you take!
There are many YESes being said nowadays.
YES to selfishness
to choosing what is most desirable in the short term rather than the long haul
to immediate gratification
to easy days and easy relationships
to what is “lawful but not expedient”
Sometimes it is important to say “NO”. It has to be said over and over.
“NO, I won’t go to bed with you.”
“NO, I don’t have time for some legitimate, second-best things.”
“NO, I can’t sleep in until noon.”
“NO” must be said to some things in order to say “YES” to others.
What really matters is saying “YES” to the right things.
YES to Jesus
to total commitment
to choosing right over wrong
to being true to someone’s trust
to keeping confidential the things shared with me.
Basically, there are two ways in life:
good and bad
straight and crooked.
All through life, everyone must choose.
All experiences, all choices fall on one side of the line…or the other.
