Dilemma
Strolling along a path, in a thickly wooded valley, you come to a small clearing that has two exiting paths where the path branches. One path goes just slightly toward the right, and the other just slightly toward the left. Neither appears to have been well travelled, so the advice to take the least travelled path is not valid. Besides, aren’t you really done with the whole adventure thing. You are faced with a dilemma. Which path will you choose? Appearing out of the mist are twin wizards—did I say there was an eerie mist? Well, there is an eerie mist. You seem to know that one wizard ALWAYS tells the truth; the other ALWAYS lies. You also know you can only ask one question, and only address one wizard. What will you ask? Which one will you ask?
All Right. Sure. Let’s be really macho and tramp across the moss-covered clearing, pushing aside the stupid wizards, and head straight for the path on the right. Why the right. I don’t know. An existentialist would say that neither path leads to some pleasant place; one would lead to a cliff that requires rappelling gear; the other to a steep mountain side that requires climbing gear.
I’d stand there totally stumped, however. I’d think through all the possibilities. Why ask a wizard? If I take the path to the right, what will happen? What about the path on the left? All I really want to do is get out of the valley—its becoming way too much like a valley of decision. All I want to do is get to the river that runs clear and sweet that I know is on the other side of the woods. I was told that there was only one path through the woods that went directly to the river. Now there seems to be a fork in that path. I’m confused. I’ve been accused of thinking too much, of analyzing too much. I should just proceed. I could come back to the clearing if I needed to. Couldn’t I?
Sheesh. Get on with it. Ask one of them wizard guys. Guys don’t ask directions, though. Well, that’s what Someone has constantly told me. That same Someone also gave me a mug that says, “How many road must a man go down. . . before he admits he’s lost.” That reminds me, “If a man speaks at sea, where no woman can hear, is he still wrong?” (anonymous, Phoenician, circa 500 B.C.)
Dilemma.
I don’t like it. Dilemma. I have to decide; I have to make a choice. What if I’m wrong?
There’s one choice I made long ago. I choose Y’shuaJesus. Well, He chose me. I responded with something like: “Here am I, LORD!” I’ve been on steep and rocking paths throughout nearly seven decades of this life on Earth. I’ve also had it easier than many others that I know, had an easier path more often that not. I’ve been given pleasant places to sleep, and more than a few that weren’t so pleasant. He’s always been there. ALWAYS. Al of the time Y’shuaJesus has been with with me. It’s one choice for which I’m eternally grateful.
Blaise Pascal’s wager is worth studying, if you’re not convinced that there is a G-d Who created us, and love’s us, and wants us have an eternal life of Peace with Him. Essentially, it states that you have no choice be to either believe in G-d or not to believe in G-d. You must choose. Pascal likens it to a wager in that you flip a coin. Heads. Tails. You only get one answer, one throw. If you choose to believe, and there turns out to be no G-d, you’ve lost nothing. If you choose not to believe, and G-d is real, you lose. You lose big time. Seems sorta like a win-win deal to me.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? —Mark 8:36
Here’s how you may respond to our Creator’s call:
“Father, in Jesus Name I ask you the best way I know how that you forgive my sins and take my life and direct it, lead it, and guide it, all the days of my life. I want to know You Lord Jesus in a more personal way and to have You help me to grow in Your Word. I believe that You died on the Cross for me and that You were raised from the dead. I confess You Jesus as my Lord and my Savior. Thank You Lord Jesus. Amen.”
Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
JonahzSong 