Fork in the Road

Recently, I shared with a young person that decisions in life are like coming to a fork in the road. The direction we choose sets a course for our life. No matter how we arrive at forks, at that point, we have the opportunity to make a choice that leads us on a path for better, or we can choose the road that will cause us to become bitter. Those moments are before each of us with every decision we make.

Several scriptures portray images of this. In Proverbs, we often find it as a contrast to illustrate the choice of wisdom versus folly or foolishness.

“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways” (Proverbs 2:12-15, NIV).

This theme is reiterated many times in Psalms and Proverbs extolling those who choose wisdom. They find life and blessing. The fool finds disaster, calamity, distress, and trouble because, “they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord” (Proverbs 1:29, NIV).

“For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:32-33, NIV).

“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them” (Proverbs 22:4-5, NIV).

I found the number of descriptive terms for the ‘path of wisdom’ astounding. As you read through the scriptures below, you begin to see the character of God displayed. As an ambassador of Christ, others will undoubtedly see these traits in a person living wisely. The bold emphasis is added by me.

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11, NIV).

“Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul” (Proverbs 2:9-10, NIV).

“Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17, NIV).

“I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths” (Proverbs 4:11, NIV).

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18, NIV).

“I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice” (Proverbs 8:20, NIV).

“The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway” (Proverbs 15:19, NIV).

“Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead” (Proverbs 21:16, NIV).

“Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path” (Proverbs 23:19, NIV).

“How can a young man stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9, NIV).

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding” (Psalm 119:32, NIV).

Sometimes the forks are before us from our own thoughts or actions, and others are present from nothing of ourselves, like the death of a loved one, or loss from a natural disaster. We don’t choose those tragic events; they happen without our consent. When you’re at a fork in the road I encourage you to choose the path of life.

Prayer
Dear Father God, show me Your ways, teach me Your paths. Thank You, for guarding the course of the just and protecting the way of the faithful. You are so good and merciful. Amen.

Decision image by PixxlTeufel from Pixabay.