I prefer the unobstructed views.
As I sit in the passenger seat of my blue minivan, I can feel the tension as my son arrives at the intersection. He is navigating the path to get his driver’s license. When he comes to those crossroads. the opportunity to make a left hand turn unfolds. As well as an often obstructed view.
I remember the anxiety involved in making a split second decision that carries serious consequences in a heartbeat. Like my son, I prefer to have time to ponder. But time isn’t always in our favor.
As children, we cling to predictability. It brings comfort and security. Sure changes occur. However, the landscape is somewhat familiar and choices seem relatively simple. In addition, the pace of life relatively slow.
Then the horizon expands as does the number of choices. And the realization that life is made up of a lot of left hand turns begins to materialize. We recognize risky decisions occur everyday.
Sometimes, we are afforded a fuller view than others. Sometimes, we are afforded more time than others. And sometimes, we have to make life altering decisions in a matter of minutes.
But the alternative is to not move forward at all. To let fear overwhelm and keep us in place. Jesus liberates us from spiritual paralysis.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7
Left hand turns should not be avoided. Making decisions without the full view are necessary in this life. But we can cling to the reminder that God is with us as we navigate through it.
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I agree, those moments where we have to make a choice quickly can be a challenge, but sometimes we need to take action if we want to keep moving even if we’re not quite sure how it will turn out.
Yes, That’s why we can’t become spiritually paralyzed.
My choices best come quickly,
no matter what life poses,
for pondering makes sickly
a mental dull sclerosis.
I cannot stand analysis,
it bores me to by boots
and leads to a paralysis
with the bloom beneath the roots.
So, onward with a merry cry,
choices made, and now we ride!
Perhaps it’s a good day to die,
but there’s no-where we can hide
from the avalanche of years,
from the laughter, from the tears.