The first time I stepped inside my elementary school’s library, I was overwhelmed. Aside from the gaudy creamsicle orange and white paint scheme, the room contained more books that I could possibly read in a lifetime. But I was willing to try. During the next few years, I read children’s books, history books, and even a few cookbooks. However, I had a difficult time reading one type of book because it seemed to be a prized commodity among other students. These were known as the “choose your own adventure” books.
The books involved a lead character in various settings—a spooky mansion or a secret underground laboratory, for instance—and chronicled their ‘adventures’ while there. What set these works apart was their open-endedness. The reader would begin the story like any other book, but a few pages later, the story would abruptly pause and list a series of choices. In order the make the choice, a person had to turn to a different page in the book and continue reading. Sometimes the choice was good. Sometimes it was not good. Sometimes it was unknown. But in the end, there was only one correct way to read the book; the other endings left more to be desired.
I eventually was able to check out a few of these books, and while reading, I learned something.
I wasn’t a good decision-maker.
My characters always received cruel fates, such as drinking the vial of potion that turned the hero into a stone statue, entering the greenhouse that had plants straight from the movie Minority Report, or turning the wrong direction while being chased and getting beaten up by some scary Frankenstein look-alike. Despite my focused attempts to make the right choices each time, I was never able to complete one of these books correctly.
Isn’t life like a “choose your own adventure” book? With each passing second, we write more of our story, making decisions along the way that affect what happens next. Deciding to drive faster than the speed limit may prompt a police officer to write you a ticket. Electing to stay home one evening may allow you to take a phone call from a friend that has since moved away. Choosing to exercise daily and eat right may allow you to keep up with your daughter as she learns to ride a bike.
It is comforting and refreshing to know that the Lord has good plans for those who follow after Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). He told a group of his people held captive in Babylon: “I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (Jeremiah 29:11 {Msg]). God didn’t say that life would be easy or that difficulties would completely disappear. He simply stated that the end result would be worth it.
Think about this: many of our Christlike character traits were not developed by reading the Bible on a subject (say, patience) and then saying, “Alright, I’m now incredibly patient.” Instead, we’ve learned these qualities through various challenges, hardships, or uncomfortable situations. To learn to love unconditionally, for example, might involve dealing with a coworker that seemingly finds pleasure directing cruel and vindictive comments at us. Sometimes we succeed admirably. Sometimes we fail miserably. And when we fail, God is gracious in providing additional opportunities to refine that element of our life. They may not be in the same situation(s) with the same individual(s), but we will, as we become more like Jesus, learn and respond as he desires us to.
We must always keep in mind that God already knows our story backwards and forwards; we don’t. Thus, the Lord is the author of our ‘adventure,’ but he allows us to have some responsibility for how it plays out. We must assume that responsibility with the utmost care and concern as we consider his desire for humankind—that all would come to him and claim Jesus as their Forgiver and Leader (see 2 Peter 3:9). Since we have that goal, the rest of our lives should attempt to make it happen as best as we can through the choices we make on a weekly, daily, hourly, or impromptu basis.
One of the decisions you’re currently making involves reading this edition of Pure Refreshment. I pray that God is using these to challenge, encourage, and strengthen you on your particular ‘adventure.’ After you’ve finished reading, you have choices to make, based on how he’s been speaking to you:
- To ask God to change you to become more like him in a specific way.
- To ask God for guidance in a particular situation.
- To ask God for forgiveness.
- To share what you’ve learned with someone else.
- To do nothing.
The decision you make is important, since it affects the future course of your ‘adventure.’ As the Lord directs you, I pray you would choose wisely in this and every decision you face today. And as he refreshes you, may you, in turn, refresh others.
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
— Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
“God loves the man who needs Him.”
—Oswald Chambers
All material copyright 2006 J. Alan Sharrer. No part of this message may be reproduced—other than the forwarding of the original, unaltered message—without express written permission.
