When You Come To A Fork In The Road, Take It

By Scott Schultz, Session Elder

While this quote is funny, it is also true. You may have seen it attributed to Yogi Berra. Bear with me, remembering that patience is a Fruit of the Spirit.

Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

I retired on December 31, 2020 after 34 and-a-half years working for the City (I am the poster child for change aversion), and I stand at a fork in the road. What's next for me after retirement? A Bible Gateway search reveals 13 results for “fork,” 109 for “road,” but only one for “fork in the road.” So let’s move on…

A fork in the road is shaped like a Y, which reminded me of Pastor Tim’s January 3rd sermon and Pastor Steve’s January 10th sermon on “Knowing Your Why.”

“… your most important calling is a call into a relationship with Jesus. Our "why" is discovered when it emerges from a place of resting in His (God’s) love for us.” (Tim Shaw)

“If we think that there will come a day when we will be rid of fear and take a risk for God, we are deluding ourselves… Let me say that I'm convinced knowing your why will give you that something else more important than your fear." (Steve Peich)

I mentioned the “Y/Why” concept in an e-mail, and First Prez Elder Jeremy Lim replied in his usual wise and cogent manner: 

“Sometimes I wonder if maybe Jesus is more concerned with why we chose one direction or the other and not as concerned with which direction we choose. Not as much pressure about making the ‘right’ decision when the decision becomes more about following Him than choosing a path. This whole following Jesus thing is quite the adventure.” 

Thanks Jeremy!

Must I find a (new) “why” before determining the “whats”? I must actively know that Jesus chose me to discern how He wants me to follow Him. This will require humble faith, prayer, reading His word, listening, and ultimately trusting His lead. Perhaps WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) should be changed to WWID (Why Will I Do?). Not just now, but every day, in every encounter.

When you come to a fork in your road, take these things: Love, Joy, Peace, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. In other words ... take Jesus! Just flip the Y over, move the stem down, and point to Him. ↑ There’s the real Why!

Luke 3:4-6 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Give me ears to hear and eyes to see Your why for the rest of my life. Thank You for giving me life and love, hope and purpose. I ask for persistent courage and soulful certainty to live it fully and joyfully. From, through, and to You are all things and the glory forever! Amen. 

Share this with a friend: