LUMPS
“Hey c-mon”! – “We’re just leaving”! I said smiling on behalf of my friend and me. “We didn’t say you could leave Bra”!!! he yelled back. I assumed he was referring to me as Bro, although if someone would be willing to call me something that implies the relationship of a brother, I’d have thought he would have been a little nicer.
It was a group of guys, pretty certain that they were regulars, standing in front of the door to the seedy little bar in a pretty raunchy part of town. At this point I was wishing I’d have listened to my gut instinct and not gone into that dump…
“C-mon guys – we’re not looking for any trouble”! My buddy I’ll call Dan said. The biggest guy yelled back in finality, “WELL YOU GOT TROUBLE BRA”!!! He wasn’t lying…
Some lumps, blood, and a few dislocated joints later we left.
That’s usually how bad choices or decisions work I’ve noticed. The price of admission is free, it’s the price to get out that is painful and costly.
While I’d like to use the famous adage, “My momma didn’t raise no fool,” I can’t with a straight face, or with my fingers crossed. I really can’t blame my mom or dad, they did teach us right from wrong. They warned us of dangers, pitfalls, and lit the path to wisdom. I was looking for something a little more exciting… Like broken noses… I guess that’s better than a sharp stick in the eye…
Free will is quite a gift, but for those of us with less self control, it can be a double edged sword. How many of our problems, concerns, or issues are a direct result of our actions or by the choice provided by free will? Even in some cases, choices or decisions avoided that turned out to be the wrong move, ended with the same results.
Then there is my favorite, the choices made in haste with very little mental consideration given to the subject. This one is probably the most common among the majority of people in our society. This choice is founded in our human emotion and preys on our weakened and selfish flesh.
Although I always try to be honest and humble in sharing thoughts, honesty begs the truth. In truth, I might be considered an expert in these matters, certainly nothing less than experienced.
It is more common to hear talk of emotions in those of us who form our worldly perspective by how we feel or how we think things should be. The opposite of this mindset would be those of us who believe that if we let emotions control our lives, we’d make the mistake of not being guided first by principles, preferably moral.
Then there is the group of us that believe in the moral principle perspective, and control most of our emotions, but not all of them. This group doesn’t look or seem like the “emotional” type, but they too have weaknesses. Sometimes this group is referred to as stubborn, or reckless and while they don’t appear like the emotional type, they are, just in different areas.
The last group I believe is the strong self-willed group of us who follow the rules much like the brother in the story of the Prodigal son that Jesus Christ told, who in the end is exposed with a less than perfect heart.
All of us make up the groups of people described, just maybe in a slightly different way. As imperfect as we are, our hope is in the One who lives within us. It is HIs spirit that allows us to become wiser, and better.
Of all the choices we get to make in life, it really comes down to one…
Will we accept God?
Voni
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 6:48 pm
That is THE question, isn’t it?
You made me think of the people who say, “I’ve lost money on my house.”
“You sold your house?”
“No.”
“Well, you haven’t lost any money–yet.”
It’s the price of getting out that kills.
Blessings,
Voni
Floyd
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 7:57 pm
I hear you, emotions often rule the heart and mind. Well said. Thanks Voni.
Effie-Alean Gross
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 7:43 pm
Looking back, I may fit into most all of your categories for making choices…I guess that’s because I have lived a
l-o-n-g life. A girl once wanted to fight me after school, for no particular reason. We were about eight years old. I ran! Good choice, huh? Well, all grown up now, I won’t run from a cause worth the fight. It’s a choice. Great post, Floyd. You always make me think with your shared wisdom.
Floyd
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 8:00 pm
Thanks Effie, I already knew you’d fight for a just cause. And thanks for the encouraging words.
Effie-Alean Gross
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
PS
You asked the greatest question ever: Will we accept God? It is a life or death question. Eternal death or eternal life? To answer your question, yes, I have accepted the God-man, Jesus. In Him is life.
Floyd
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 8:03 pm
I’m with you, that choice is the only choice that matters and that choice defines the way we will process all choices thereafter. By the way, yours was a home run today. First rate.
Hazel
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 7:54 pm
There are times when all of us have made wrong choices, and paid the price too! Hopefully as my mother would say to me, “I hope you have learned your lesson.” In the case of your friend and those bullies. You did need to defend yourself — even if it ended up not so good. There are instances when you are jumped by the old devil, that you just need to get him off your back. Jesus defended himself with the word, and we too have God’s word as a sword against bullies in our life.
Floyd
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 8:07 pm
Great point Hazel. Regardless of how strong our bodies or mind, nothing comes remotely close to the power of His word. He controls the things we can’t see. Even sees us out of tough spots, with just a few lumps on us!
Danelle
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 8:01 pm
“The price to get in is free, it’s the price to get out that is painful and costly.”
Love this.
I am saved because He paid the highest price for me.
It cost me nothing. Him. . everything.
And the pain?
It comes, but He covers it, mends it. . . blends it into patterns of His Light.
Any other choice by comparison to choosing God is most certainly “free”.
But oh my, the COST.
THE COST
Amen.
Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 8:10 pm
Thanks Danelle. “It comes, but He covers it, mends it… blends it into patterns of His Light.” That was beautifully said, you’re right. The cost is more than the lost can comprehend.
Bt
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:00 pm
Choices … aren’t we lucky to have choices and 2nd chances … Fight or flight, Christain beliefs, the path to wisdom, the price of admission vs. the cost of geting out, free will, lessons learned … You’re right, all are founded on human emotions. It’s a topic that one could write a book about. Oh I guess that’s already been done … the Bible.
Some decisions and choices fit into the day to day, pedestrian decisions of ones’ life, while others like, ultimate moral choices are not so pedestrian. Will we accept God? … fits into the eternal question of ones’ life. I think a lot of us mix the 2 decisions/choices and forget that the consequences have a much different impact on where we end up. We may find that we have no ticket for admission and no way of getting out. But God does give us do overs, it’s never to late to change our decision making choices 🙂 Bt
Floyd
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 6:58 am
Amen… That was articulated very well. He is the power of second chances. Thank Him literally for the “do overs.” You know, I thought when I grew up I might not be calling for “do over”! as much. Oh we don’t yell it out loud anymore, but are hearts are screaming at the top of their lungs… Just like when we were kids. Thanks for the insight BT.
jake
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 5:08 pm
“The price of admission is free, it’s the price to get out that is painful and costly.”
I’ve never thought about that. Makes sense though. It’s all fun and games until you get busted, beat up, or catch a disease.
Floyd
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 7:18 pm
Thanks Jake, my hunch is that you might have collected a few bumps and bruises along the way… Just a hunch…
Jason Stasyszen
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 9:46 pm
I latched on to the same thing as Jake– “That’s usually how bad choices or decisions work I’ve noticed. The price of admission is free, it’s the price to get out that is painful and costly.” Dear Lord, help me remember that. It may not be in “big” things, but those small things add up and carry their own price. Good word, Floyd. Thank you.
Floyd
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 8:23 am
Thanks Jason, I think we’ve all been there. As a child a didn’t understand the value of wisdom, especially the way Solomon valued it… But that was the beginning of wisdom. That and reverent fear of the Lord…
Jennifer
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 1:08 pm
I thought your ending was very interesting, Floyd. Not that I haven’t made bad choices, but for the most part, I have been the brother in the story of the ‘Prodigal Son.’ It wasn’t until having children that I really began to understand that story–and understand how much I needed God’s grace, as well.
Floyd
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 6:39 pm
I guess I should have tied the ending in a little better, but for lack of space I just dropped it out there. I think in the end, whatever choice we make along the way. The only choice that matters to begin with is that. In time, as we seek Him, everything else falls into place as we do. Thanks Jennifer, it’s nice to hear from you!
Nancy
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 2:34 pm
Excellent piece of expression! The world teaches us to “find ourselves” , “take a chance”, “go for it”. We are trained up in nonsense by the world’s system which is in direct conflict with God’s system. Without God’s input we are reckless. Emotions are fickle. Willpower gives out. Without a realtionship to God, moral behavior has no umph!
People certainly DO need their anchor to be God….while coming to the end of themselves…. Thanks for the pensive piece!
Floyd
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 6:46 pm
Thanks Nancy. “While coming to the end of themselves.” That is so true and so well said. That line is encouraging a new post! Their is no better place to find ourselves than at the end of ourselves. Excellent!
Helen
Friday, November 18, 2011 @ 1:16 pm
“Will we accept God?”
We better. There is no moving on in this life or from this life without HIm.
Floyd
Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 3:59 pm
Amen Helen! Well said my friend. Thanks, it’s good to hear from you. You’ve reminded me I need to slow down and engage in the things that bring true value to our lives.
brad
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 12:14 pm
You know most of my smartest and or best choices are the ones that have set with me the longest. I know in my heart and mind they were correct, I don’t think anyone could argue, yet they were the most difficult and sometimes still mess with me a little. Sometimes it is very difficult to do what is undoubtedly the right thing. Even circumstances like the one in the story. I have done the right thing and simply walked away, but even to this day, one part of me is still upset for doing it. I’m sure its what God wanted. Thx Buddy
Floyd
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 6:18 pm
I hear you Brad. I some of those that are still stuck in my craw. It isn’t an easy thing to do the right thing. That pride is a hard one to swallow. I agree, it usually is the best thing and gives us the most return. Good point. I can certainly relate. Thanks Brad.
Pat Bowling
Saturday, December 31, 2011 @ 12:08 pm
“I was looking for something more exciting.”
While boys/men look for things “more exciting”, girls/women are usually looking for the love that is missing in their relationships with their fathers or husbands. Unfortunately the negative decisions made by both men and women have the potential of leaving a lifetime of consequences and scars.
Because of my own mistakes, my visible consequences, and my invisible scars God has given me many, many opportunities to minister to women. I said that to say this…our bad choices may come with a price, but they also come with great opportunity and blessing if we humble ourselves enough to lay them at the Savior’s feet.
This is where “we” differ from “them”. Those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior have – hope – while those who continue to depend upon themselves have – none. No hope of mercy while living out their consequences, no hope of healing, and no hope of blessing. What a sad existence; it breaks my heart to think of it.
In your post, you pointed out beautifully the different “personalities” that lend to our choices – proof that all of us are in need of a Savior and the gift of grace He offers.
Great post!
Floyd
Saturday, December 31, 2011 @ 1:52 pm
Thanks Pat. You summed that up quite well. All of us have something to give, but the only way to be able to have the wisdom to know what that might be, is to know God and His will in our lives. I’m grateful for the heart and burden he put in your heart for other women. You’re leaving the mark of the Father all over their blessed lives.