Choosing between the Broom and the Umbrella

Choices are important, and while we can make them as we will, we are unable to shake off the consequences of our choices.  We think less of consequences because they dawn on us slowly and with less fanfare but are far more complex to deal with.  A marriage choice can be made in a few months, but the consequences can become a lifelong experience … a career choice seems to be an exciting outcome from a well-structured 2-day seminar, but the outcomes become a decade-long conference.  Still we are trained and instinctively led to think more of choices than of consequences …but is this not but folly?

Jos_24:15   And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Pro_1:29   For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD

While God asks us to freely make our choices, in Proverbs, we understand why wrong choices are always made.  It is primarily because of hatred of knowledge.  Knowledge of what?  Consequences.

Those on the other side of the flood, those who served the gods of the Amorites ended badly even though Egypt and Sodom were beautiful, luscious and enticing to the eyes.  The consequences of serving the gods of Egypt are hidden to those who will be destroyed but not to those who love the word of God.    Consequences are in the long term and are often concealed.  Ezekiel saw Pharaoh for who he really was …not the quiet, civilized, gentle and brilliant monarch but…a greatly wicked dragon in the waters covered with pride, greed and a demonic selfishness.

Eze_29:3   Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.

How can we choose between the broom and the umbrella?  We need the broom to clean the room …but we will leave the room and go out on a stormy day and wish we had chosen the umbrella.  But if we choose the umbrella, we will arrive home dry and healthy only to find germs and dirt waiting under our carpet … cobwebs with spiders and all manner of foulness.  How do we choose?

Scripture asks us to love knowledge and we will choose right.  Knowledge does not come accidentally, it will come with a little industry … a little search.  Knowledge uncovers the deceptions veiled by ignorance.  Another word for knowledge is truth.

Most of what we think is truth are sentiments, exchanges of truth for what we is convenient or what we want to believe …resulting in so many truths …as many nations, tribes, religions, parties, groups, each having their own “truths”…but can these be truths or mere ‘decorated” lies …covered in fair robes.

Truth and knowledge are found in the word of God.  When we love the word of God, our decisions will be right … we will see the higher view that all decisions manifest from a higher battle between light and darkness. Only those who know and possess the impenetrable armor, the full armor is Christ and not just that … those who have put them on … prepared to win the personal wrestle with their conscience and secret lusts and ambitions will see straight. The saints are the salt and the light because only they are armed to pick right even in the most obvious choice scenario.

Let me admit upfront that the choice between the broom and the umbrella cannot be an exercise solely based on logic …because honest and plain reasoning will tell you, both are required and having one and not the other will be hurtful.  Deceitful reasoning will magnify one only to please sick sensuous appetites.  But looking far ahead to consider consequences can also paralyse our resolve.

But there is a path God has chosen, a guarded and protected narrow path … seek that path and chose to remain and stay close to it.  On that path, there will be a perfect direction. Direction that is founded on trust in God. A path in which we are kept in perfect peace.  May you choose right.  Enjoy the Hymn below.

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Isa 26:3   Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Amen.