If Only - Martin Wiles

If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. James 1:5 NLT

No one has penned the “If only” conundrum more appropriately than poet Robert Frost in the selection, “The Road Not Taken”:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

 

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

 

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

 

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

 

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

 

If not careful, the “If only's” can consume us. Frost seemed to be as he described two paths, only one of which he could take. He wished he could have taken both—or at least gone back to travel the other he hadn’t taken the first time around—but he couldn’t.

Choices fill life. According to James, God will give us the wisdom to make those choices if we only ask.

Not all choices are between good and evil—or even better and best. Frost said both roads looked equally good. He simply couldn’t travel both. I’ve experienced the same. Choosing between right and wrong is easier; choosing between two equally good choices is challenging. Seeking God’s wisdom through prayer, studying His Word, and getting advice from wise spiritual counselors is crucial to avoiding the “If only's” later in life.

Some roads are labeled “Right” and “Wrong” in bold letters, but that doesn’t necessarily make the choice any easier. Our archenemy loves to take us down roads he knows will destroy us spiritually and then watch us wallow in regret, shame, and depression later on. God provides the wisdom to choose in these circumstances and gives us the strength to say “No” and take the other path.

Whatever your life choice, God will give you the wisdom to make it if you take the time to ask.

Father, give me wisdom for the choices I must make in life. May my choices reflect my love for and faith in You. 

Tweetable: Are you plagued by "If only" choices?

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Chosen - Martin Wiles

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:1 NLT

The ability to choose is powerful. One of my favorite poems is “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.

 Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

          To where it bent in the undergrowth;          

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

         I doubted if I should ever come back.         

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Whether Frost refers to a specific choice he later regretted or not, I’m not sure. But I know I’ve regretted a few. I’ve faced many forks in the road, made a choice, and then later wondered how life might have been different on the other road.  Perhaps only a few times in a person’s lifetime can they actually try the other road.

Paul’s fork came on the Damascus Road while he was on a mission to arrest, persecute, and kill Christians. A bright light from heaven parted his path, the risen Christ gave him an opportunity to take another road in life, and he accepted it. God chose him, but he had to choose Christ in return.

Life affords us many choices, but the most important choice we must make is what we’ll do with Christ: accept him like Paul or turn away. 

Once we choose him, he gives us many other opportunities to serve him, but at each juncture in the road, we must choose his will over ours. Having the ability to choose him is wonderful; being chosen to be his child is an even more incredible privilege.

Choose to follow and serve Christ. It’s a decision you’ll never regret.

Prayer: Father, thank You for choosing us to be Your children. 

Tweetable: Have you made the right choice? 

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