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CHALLENGES IN LIVING
TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY
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The
Choices You Make
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by Tom
Caballes
“He will
render to each one according to his
works: to those who by patience in
well-doing seek for glory and honor
and immortality, he will give eternal
life; but for those who are
self-seeking and do not obey the
truth, but obey unrighteousness, there
will be wrath and fury.”
-
Romans 2:6–8
One of my favorite movie series as I grew up is
“Back to the Future.” It shows how a decision of a
person in the past affects what happens to him in
the future, and in the movie, Marty McFly was able
to travel back in time to correct the mistakes
made in the past, although he messed it up more.
How I wish such a machine is available now! But
what I learned from that movie is that the
decisions we make today forms what our future will
be. We are all laying the foundations of our
future based on the small and big decisions we
daily make. Of course circumstances affect a lot
of what we become, but circumstances work in
tandem with our decisions to form our future. We
essentially are the product of the choices we make
– not by our parents, or whoever else influenced
us in our youth. So, are you responsible to where
you are at the moment, or is it someone else? Are
you ready to face the future based on the
decisions you made in the past and the decisions
you will be making from now on?
So How Do I Make the Right
Choices Now?
- Have you clearly identified what are the
goals of your life? Everyone has written or
unwritten goals for their lives. It forms our
beliefs, our values and priorities, and it
eventually dictates your choices. So, what are
you passionate about? Know who you are and
what your life is about, then pursue them with
passion and purpose. If you have not written
them before, now is the time to clearly
identify them.
- Make careful decisions about your life – the
bigger the decisions are, the more discernment
is needed. It would be great to have pastoral
help when you make significant, life-changing
decisions in your life. Listen to advice
and accept instruction, that you may gain
wisdom in the future [Proverbs 19:20].
- We need to be deeply entrenched in the Word
of God, because it deeply affects how we think
about things and how we decide. Your word
is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
[Psalms 119:105].
- It is easier to decide when things are black
and white, but it is much harder when issues
are in
different shades of gray. Sometimes the
choices we face are between good things – and
which ones are better. Sometimes we are faced
to choose the lesser evil. Again, this is
where practical wisdom in the form of
brotherly or sisterly advice comes in. Seek
advice and wisdom and you will appreciate it!
- We need to be mindful of the eternal
consequences of our decisions: will this
decision bring me closer to God or not?Will
this decision make God’s will be done? Is God
pleased with this decision?
- Lastly, we need to ask ourselves: will we
regret or be thankful for that decision later
in life?Will my life be blessed by this
decision, or will my life turn for the worse?
Aim to live a life with no regrets!
Other Scripture
references:
- Trust in the LORD
with all your heart, and do not lean on your
own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge
him, and he will make straight your paths.
[Proverbs 3:5-6]
- For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
to the division of soul and of spirit … and
discerning the thoughts and intentions of
the heart. And no creature is hidden from
his sight, but all are naked and exposed to
the eyes of him to whom we must give
account. [Hebrews 4:12-13]
- Other references: Proverbs 24:6; Deuteronomy
30:19; Proverbs 14:12; Joshua 24:15; and
Galatians 6:7-8.
For personal reflection or
group sharing
- Am I the person of my own decision, or do I
blame someone else for who I am?
- How often do I seek advice and guidance from
those who can help me, or am I very
independent?
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Tom Caballes is the National
Senior Administrator and a National
Coordinator of the Lamb
of
God, a community of the Sword of
the Spirit with 7 branches located
throughout New Zealand. Tom also leads
Kairos
New
Zealand, an outreach program for
high school, university, and
post-university aged people.
Tom and his wife Mhel and
their two daughters live in
Wellington, New Zealand.
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