The fork in the road was a clear choice. Left or right? I was not sure. Emma, the GPS in the Touareg, was lagging. My choices were limited. Should I take the left? Was the right the better choice? Which would get me to my destination?
In the back of my mind was a truth whisper. There are always more options in a choice than you can see at the time. We make think there is only one choice, at best a limited number. Even when our choice is obvious, it may not be the best one.
When a commander in the heat of a conflict made a choice, “he decided to interrogate Paul under torture in order to get to the bottom of this, to find out what he had done that provoked this outraged violence.” (Acts 22.24) The choice appeared obvious. It was easy. Yet, time and more facts conveyed how wrong it was.
I was missing the obvious
As I began to take the left, the obvious caught up with me. I found myself ignoring left and right, slowing down, letting Emma catch up, and accepting guidance from Another. What was hidden was now revealed.
Your life and mine are filled with choices. At times, they are overwhelming. We must decide. Even our inaction is a choice of sorts. We should choose from what we see.
I find myself embracing a different framework.
Knowing there is more than what I can see frees me up to ask Others for their insights and perspective.
Understanding that urgency is not always my friend, gives me an excuse to gently hesitate while pushing forward. Slowing down is not the same as avoidance. It is a call to see more while listening with openness.
Direction can come from many sources. Traditional ones are great treasures. We can embrace truth from any source and find ourselves richer for the experience.
As today begins, I realize that choices are everyday occurrence. Walking with Others will allow me to see more. The options are greater! We can make a difference.
