Crossroads

Have you ever had to make a decision and not made the right one? You arrive at a crossroads and one path seems to be the right one, however, it turns out to be the wrong one.

My journey with God this week has been a little comical and also a huge life lesson for me. I have been doing a very in-depth bible study on David and this week’s theme was crossroads. I am thoroughly enjoying the study and going deeper with God –but I didn’t realize that I was going to get tested on it. It turns out that I had to sit a practical exam on the same topic I had been studying! I am sure it was to see whether I had actually learnt from study!

My bible study has been focusing on the story of David, Bathsheba and Uriah. A story where the man after God’s own heart is given a practical exam – and fails.

David – now King of Israel, successful in all he does and known across the land for his faithfulness to God comes to a crossroads in his life  - and he makes a bad choice. David, falls in love with Bathsheba and enquires after her. His advisor tells him that Bathsheba is the wife to Uriah – one of David’s mighty men.  Crossroad number one – David has the choice to pursue Bathsheba, or leave her alone. David’s desires get the better of him and he takes the path that leads to destruction.

When Bathsheba falls pregnant, David comes to his second crossroad – he has the choice to either tell Uriah or to deceive him. David not only tries to deceive Uriah, but when that doesn’t work, David organizes for Uriah to be killed.

David – when given a second chance to make the right choice, chose poorly. The consequences of David’s actions were grave and you can read about it in 2 Samuel 11 and 12.

This week, I came to a crossroads. I was presented with a choice and I ignored the little niggling voice in my head that was trying to direct me down the right path, and I chose the other path.

For three days I suffered with sleepless nights, guilt, and worry which all then had a flow on affect in my life. I decided to make it right. I decided to repent and choose the other path. Happy and peaceful in my decision, here came the comical part. Four days after I had made the wrong choice and gone down the wrong path and one day after my repentance and turning around to the right path – I was given the exact same practical exam again. I was given the exact same choice and the exact same crossroad that I had experienced four days before. But this time – I chose the right path. And I had peace.

My God – the God of second chances – had seen my repentant heart and had mercy on me. My God – the God of second chances – had offered me a do-over exam. My God – the God of second chances – had redeemed me and brought me peace and joy.

Each day in life, we come to crossroads. Whether these decisions are small – like what we are going to cook for dinner or large – where they affect our lives and the lives of those around us in a dramatic way, we all come to a time where we have to make choices.

The wrong path will lead us down a road of consequences that can emotionally, spiritually and physically affect us whilst the right path can lead us down a road of blessing that can emotionally, spiritually and physically uplift us.

The good news is – there is redemption. There are second chances. There is a God who loves mercy and who sees our hearts. Whilst man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart and he will not turn his back on the repentant one.

This is the prayer that David prayed when his sin was revealed to him and this is the prayer I prayed this week:

Psalm 51

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 

When you come to a crossroads – ask God to give you the wisdom and strength to make the right choice. And dear one – if you find yourself down the wrong path – trust in a God of second chances, call unto him to create a clean heart in you and to restore joy and peace. He won’t turn you away.