Life is full of choices. In the Bible, Abram (eventually renamed Abraham) made a lot of significant choices. I was recently looking at two of them that occur in succession as we read them.
In Genesis 12, we read about when Abram and Sarai went to Egypt. Abram had some choices to make. Some of the decisions he made were based on fear and self-preservation, as he decided to pretend Sarai was his sister to avoid the possibility of being killed. Things didn’t turn out particularly well, but God didn’t give up on Abram because of his poor choice.
By the next chapter in Genesis, it is probably safe to assume that Abram had learned a few more important life lessons. Another big time of decision came. He and Lot needed to part ways in order to maintain their livelihoods (livestock). Abraham was in a position where he had the right to choose which area he wanted, but he opted to let Lot choose, showing much less fear and self-preservation than he had previously. I think it is safe to say that his faith, trust, and obedience in response to his relationship with God had grown.
We Sandeens have been making a lot of choices lately. We just got through a big one – choosing housing in Fort Morgan, Colorado. We worked hard at it and felt like it clearly narrowed down to only one option. It was disappointing to realize our pool for selection was so small, but we were grateful for eventual clarity. This past weekend we worked on options for moving – dates, moving vehicles, routes, etc. I enjoy making some of these less-significant options that probably won’t have much long-term impact. One growing set of choices we need to make soon relate to part-time work. Both Misha and I need to find some new part-time jobs. There are a lot of options, and it is tricky to discern the “right” direction to go. You could pray for us in those choices, if you would like.
I can’t help but think about how fortunate I am to make many of my choices sitting at my laptop in a warm home with flexibility in how to go about different things. There are many people in other parts of the world, and even here in the United States, who also face choices, but who are much more limited in their options. Some choices might have huge implications for the well-being of their family. In some situations, there are no good options. Sometimes tough circumstances are forced onto people, and they really have no choice at all.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Are there situations where I might have opportunity to help someone find their way of escape in times of extremely difficult choices? And for my choices, am I willing to make less “logical” choices like Abraham and fully trust God for the results?
Comments