Choices

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NET) - No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also be provided a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Choices are part of life.

Each one of us is faced with a number of choices we have to make every day.

Most of the choices we make do not come with tremendous implications.

Every now and then we are asked to make choices that have that have enormous consequences.

The kinds of choices that directly impact our relationship with others.

Last week, I watched an auto race whose outcome changed based upon the choices made by others. Along with that, these choices determined the last handful of drivers that would be allowed to compete for the championship in the following weeks.

As the laps wound down and the lead changed hands, a car inexplicably spun out bringing out a caution that in effect jumbled the running order.

Those of us who watched the race on television immediately questioned why this car had spun as there was nothing apparent on the replay that appeared to cause this.

The in car audio further added to our suspicions.

The race ended, a winner was declared and the final qualifiers for the championship were determined.

Over the course of the next two days, the sport’s governing body reviewed all the evidence it had at its disposal.

It determined that the spin was a deliberate act designed to give one of the other two team members a finish that would qualify him for a run at the championship.

The team owners were required to pay a substantial fine.

The crew chief of the car that spun was suspended indefinitely.

All three team drivers were penalized in points which eliminated the driver that qualified for the championship run. He was replaced by the driver who was cheated out of that last qualifying spot.

The loss of points for the driver that spun makes it all but impossible for him to win the championship.

All this because bad choices were made.

Together, these bad choices had other far reaching consequences.

They damaged relationships, some perhaps for a very long time,

Because of the choices the team owners made their sponsors are now reconsidering their future with them.

They are concerned about their companies’ reputations becoming tainted.

Because of the choices the crew chief made, his every decision (if he is reinstated) is going to be scrutinized by both the sport’s organizers and the teams with whom he competes.

If he is not reinstated, the choices he made will have a direct impact on future employment opportunities.

Because of the choices the driver made, it will take some time for him to regain the respect he had with his fellow competitors,

It is also possible that he has alienated some of his fan base.

It will likely take a very long time, but hopefully the individuals involved will learn from their bad choices and eventually repair the damages done to the relationships.

In thinking about all this, I was reminded about sin and its consequences.

Sin occurs when we make bad choices.

It occurs when we do that which we know displeases God.

It also occurs when choose not to do that which we know would please Him.

Sin damages the relationship we have with God.

It also damages the relationships we have with others.

Fortunately God loves us and is willing to forgive us if we just admit our wrong to Him.

Others are will not be as forgiving but we must try to rebuild those relationships as well.

The best course of action is not to make the bad choice in the first place.

Even when we are tempted to make the bad choice, God always provides us the means of making the right choice,

It is always there though we may have to look for it.

He will even help us find it if we ask for His help.

In trying situations others may let us down, but God never will.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 20, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, September 27, 2013.