Power of Choice

Making a choice is sometimes challenging. What to wear? What to eat? Where to go? Choice becomes challenging because there are so many different options. I experienced this not too long while traveling with friends. We were surrounded by so many options for dinner that we struggled deciding where to go. All the while, time was ticking away and we were faced with places beginning to close. We were forced to make a choice, although it may not have been what any of us wanted. Our indecision had backed us into a corner.

Which way?

Another reason choice is sometimes a challenge is because we have trouble weighing the pros and cons. 1 for $.25 or 4 for $1. Am I getting anything out of this? It sometimes takes us a moment to recognize if there is a win-win or if we need to walk away. That’s another scenario where we may let indecision paralyze us and we end up forced to choose something we may not really want. There are other times when the choice we need to make is pretty clear, but we go the opposite direction, allowing fears or other people’s voices to sway us.

These things, along with so many others, reveal the impact of our decisions. One of the adult lessons we learn is that we each have to take responsibility for our choice. Once we learn what’s right, the desire to do what’s wrong should fade. The issue is if there is a disconnect. If everyone in the world had the same moral fiber, this probably wouldn’t be an issue. Probably.  It depends which end of the scale those morals are on, right? I think about this often when I’m watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Having a golden ticket granted each child access to the factory. It did not guarantee they would stay. The choices they each made did that. Similarly in my faith walk, the same road of choice lies before me. Those children, and some of us, may be swayed by the power of suggestion from internal and external forces. That’s why we have to spend every single day strengthening our morals. How is my thinking? Do I focus on the negative, glass half empty approach? Or do I lean toward the positive? If I’m putting more of my mental energy toward heavenly things, then I have less space for the Arthur Slugworth’s of the world to whisper in my ear. Don’t let your access to the kingdom of Heaven be snatched away. If you are faced with indecision or in need of clarity, talk to God. He’ll give you the guidance that you need.

Stay Sunny!