Life presents each of us with all kinds of challenges and choices. The metaphor of walking is used both in and out of Scripture to typify our lives and the events and things with which we will inevitably intersect during our earthly sojourn.
As the philosopher of Ecclesiastes observed, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die … a time to weep, and a time to laugh … a time to keep, and a time to throw away … a time of war, and a time of peace” (Eccl. 3:1-8). While we might see this simply as a poetic way of acknowledging and coping with the ups and downs of life, we must not draw the cynical conclusion that serves as bookends to the words of this philosopher, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (1:2; 12:8).
While life might appear to be meaningless from our limited perspective “under the sun,” it is not! However, what gives life meaning—regardless of whether we are experiencing mountain-top highs, dark-valley lows, or something in-between—is not ourselves but God. “Fear God and keep His commandments” (12:13) is the conclusion that offers stability in an otherwise chaotic, inconsistent, and often unfair world.
So, as we trudge through valleys or across plateaus and come to intersections in our lives that require us to make choices, do not become discouraged or paralyzed by the question of “Where do we go from here?” Many paths we might take are not objectively right versus wrong. Sometimes there are decisions to be made and several choices can be used to pursue righteousness, edify one another, or bring glory to God. We need not agonize as if there is only one right choice in matters of liberty.
However, this is not to say that all choices are equal. When many disciples of Jesus were challenged and offended by His teaching, they “walked with Him no more” (Jn. 6:60-66). “Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (vv 67-69)
Whatever choices we do make, we need to make sure our choices will keep us following Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life (14:6). Indeed, choosing a path that enables us to keep looking unto Jesus (Heb. 12:2) may require us to change our course. Too often, we get stuck on a path (which may have served its purpose for a time) on which we remain out of habit, convenience, sentimentality, or ignorance rather than out of sincere devotion to God. My grandfather began Think in 1969 with the desire to publish a free paper. Following the first issue, he began receiving money from people (without any solicitation) who wanted to help defray his costs, and this has continued with every issue since. These “Voluntary Partners” (as they came to be called) have enabled Think to continue in print for over 55 years. However, as the new editor of this family paper, I have to give thought to the relevance and practicality of continuing to print this paper in a digitized, online world. As readers of Think, you can help me with this evaluation by sharing with me your thoughts by emailing me at the address below. Your input (or lack thereof) will help me to decide where we go from here.
andydiestelkamp@gmail.com