At a Crossroad Today

Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future.

- William Wordsworth

As I sit here today, I am thinking of those people in my life that are dealing with issues right this very moment. These issues include (but not limited to) illness, emotional stress, disaster, pure lack of knowledge, finances, and mere uncertainty. Circumstances well within or out of their control have placed them at a crossroad today. As they stand at that crossroad, a choice is to be made. "How do I let the issue define me?" The answer they give will determine their future. Either they can make the choice to let it drag them down, and use it to limit their potential OR they can learn from it, and come out the other side stronger and wiser as a result.

Over the years, I have chosen both roads. There have been times when I let a single event drag me down and threaten to destroy me. I gave it power over me. It robbed me of my joy. I allowed myself to believe and live a lie. It was the easier route to take. I use my circumstances as an excuse not to try harder. Blaming it on someone  or something else relieved me of having to make a choice. Saying "I didn't know" was such an easy way out. Throwing a pity party and letting Satan tell me I was no good, that I had brought things on myself, that I didn't deserve to be happy took no effort at all. There is a line from "Pretty Woman' with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.... "The bad stuff is easier to believe." When we are told we mean nothing, we're lazy or ugly, or we brought something on ourselves, we believe it so much faster than taking a compliment with a smile and a "thank-you."

The flipside of that are the times I have decided to accept the circumstances, hold my head high, and learn from it. We all have trying times, whether we messed up or something totally out of our control happens, such as a tornado hitting your house. Choosing to face it, and ask God to guide us and hold us through it makes all the difference in the world. When we turn it over to Him, miracles happen. Joy is found. Does it mean we won't ever experience trouble or have hard times? No. It means we can get through it, and not all alone. Christ is here to meet us wherever we are. We are loved and valuable.

As I write this, I am praying for those dealing with such issues. You do not have to experience anything alone. Jesus will meet you there.

Jesus Will Meet You There by Steven Curtis Chapman 

When you think you've hit the bottom and the bottom gives way and you fall into a darkness

no words can explain and you don't know how you make it out alive

Jesus will meet you there.
When the doctor says, "I'm sorry,we don't know what else to do."

and you're looking at your family wondering how they'll make it through...

Whatever road this life takes you down, Jesus will meet you there.
He knows the way to wherever you are

He knows the way to the depths of your heart

He knows the way 'cause he's already been where you're going

Jesus will meet you there.
When the jury says, "Guilty,"and the prison doors close

When the one you love says nothing, just packs up and goes

When the sunlight comes and your world's still dark,

Jesus will meet you there.
When you've failed again and all your second chances have been used

And the heavy weight of guilt and shame is crushing down on you...

And all you have is one last cry for help

Jesus will meet you there.
He knows the way to wherever you are

He knows the way to the depths of your heart

He knows the way 'cause he's already been where you're going
When you realize the dreams you've hadf or your child won't come true

when the phone rings in the middle of the night with tragic news...

Whatever valley you must walk through,

Jesus will meet you there.
He will meet you there.
Jesus will meet you there

What if I'm Wrong?

“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.”
― Albert Camus

      In our community, we have an outspoken atheist who frequently writes letters to the editor of our local paper. In his letters, he challenges Christians to prove their faith or religion is real. He also tries very hard to use scientific evidence to disprove our faith. My question is, and probably always will be, why does he try so hard to convince us we are wrong? Will he not be satisfied until we say he is right? What does he have to gain?
      As I think about my faith, I have so many unanswered questions. Yes, I would love to have all the knowledge of God and be able to satisfactorily shoot down any argument against His Existence. However, I am lacking in that area. I can only rely on what I do know and believe.
      What if I am wrong and they are right? What do I lose? *crickets chirping* I have nothing to lose in believing Christ is the Savior of the world. Nothing of value, that is. So I may look dorky or gullible to those who don't believe. I may not have the full respect of those who choose not to follow Christ. What else do I lose on earth in believing? Nothing. What do I lose in eternity? Nothing. If they are right, and this is all there is, then when this life ends, it is over. No more. Do I have anything to lose in believing? No.
     What if they are wrong and I am right? What do they lose? They lose the opportunity here on earth to experience God's grace and mercy, and ever-outstretched arms to hold them. They lose comfort and guidance. They have to go at it alone.They lose the peace and assurance that all the miseries of this life will pass away and we will find rest in His Presence. They will lose eternity with Him. Do they have anything to lose in not believing? Yes.
     One thing I can say with all certainty, is that atheists have to be very confident, self-assured people.  I could never tackle the heartaches, trials, and tribulations of this life without my God. I know without a single doubt in my mind that God has brought me this far. Had I rejected Christ and not made Him Lord of my life, I am certain my life would be in a much different place. I still question, still try to figure God out. The difference is that I do it in faith. I do it as a way to draw closer to Him, not to disprove Him. I seek God....and He shows up!

     I have everything to gain and nothing to lose in believing. I am just not sure those who reject God or refuse to believe in Him can say the same. I ponder what I have to lose in believing or not. Do they do the same?

     Below are the lyrics and a video to Nichole Nordeman's "What If..."  I know what happens if I am wrong. Do they?



What if you're right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you're right?
What if it's true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it's true?

What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That's all you find?

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Than folklore that must be told and retold?

You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land for so long
But what if you're wrong?