There is always a choice and always a consequence...
As I write this piece we are in the midst of presenting the Free! 10 week online sessions. In a couple of weeks we will be presenting a session about our choices, often made in the midst of adverse circumstances. These choices always result in a circumstance, which can, at times, radically change our life; for the better, or for the worse. Sometimes choices are made for us; resulting in terrible circumstances for some. However, it is so vital to remember that we still have the ability to make smaller, every moment choices. These tinier choices are the ones that can change the quality of our present circumstances.
I am also speaking to my own soul.
I am thinking of a hostage, caught up in a horrendous circumstance, created by another’s choice. She chose to hug another young female hostage, by showing motherly care, changing the quality of a moment, even if just for a second.
Someone who chooses to talk with God first, crying out for help. They know that they are not alone. This can make a circumstance bearable and more peaceful.
I am thinking of the heroin addict, a sister in Christ, who, after she became clean, chose to walk the opposite way down the street from her dealer.
What Choice are You Making?
I can never present this session without returning to my late 20’s when I met my friends; John and Sheryl. They were missionaries to gang children in East Los Angeles.
They were unique.
They taught me what personal choice and responsibility was all about and how they helped these young kids see that they did have a choice.
They started the mission with a basket ball and a net. Soon many children came around to play and very soon they had an after school program. Rules of the centre were set, very simple rules such as respect each other, respect the stuff, respect God etc. Consequences were clear; most likely time away from the centre if rules were broken.
The fascinating thing, when the rules and boundaries were set, and the consequences were clear; the work of personal responsibility could begin.
I remember one occasion, which illustrates this well, when John was in between two fighting young men, and after a cool off, he asked the question; “what choice are you making?” “ugh, I dunno” said one boy sheepishly. Then the other guy hung his head and replied, “we are choosing to go home.” He knew that the choice to fight always resulted in the consequence to go home. He made a choice to resolve the conflict with a punch out, choosing to let his anger out in a less than optimal way, resulting in an unwanted consequence.
This transformed how I interacted with a group of children from this point forward. I could also transfer this to my later work in pastoral care. “What consequences can you foresee if you make those choices,” “what choice are you making, if you continue to do what you are doing?” These are tough things to confront in our own lives but at the same time they are freeing, we are no longer victims unable to make any choice at all.
The Ultimate Choice
I started to apply this to my Christian walk. Whether you believe God chose you or you chose Him (for salvation), there is still a choice. We still choose every day to cooperate with Him or not; to sin or not; to seek His help or try to go our own way. God chose to create me, to lavish His love on me, to provide a sacrifice in His Son, so that I can walk free of the guilt and shame of sin; this places such value and worth on my life; I can choose each day to live in this truth or not. This make a really significant difference to the quality of my life.
I love reading Ephesians 1. In this chapter I am reminded of all God’s choices that He made for me and each one of us, who are His children.
It is only with the grace and mercy of God, the cleansing blood of the sacrifice of Jesus, and my calling out to Him for help, that I can make the daily choices that I need to make to follow Him.
Sally Childress PHD
Co-Founder, Resource Developer , Women's worker