Thursday, October 12, 2006

Turning Point

As in any great story, there comes a moment when the protagonist is faced with a decision. One which will change his life forever. Regardless of the decision he cannot go back to life as it was. This new dilemma will forever change the way he sees both his life and the world around him. When I read the story of Abraham and those before him, I get the sense that there were not just one, but many moments of decision. Moments that changed the course of history. Of course then, they probably didn't think that much of it, but as we look back, those innocuous little choices have had serious consequences.

In the Great Divorce, our main character sees many people in the midst of the choice. Of course here, on the frontiers of heaven, the spirit people or 'the solids' understand fully the ramifications of the decision that is to be made. However, those ghostly people who are in the midst of the conversation consider it nothing more than yet another series of words which they must endure. They do not understand how precious the situation is.

This seems to be the norm doesn't it? When I read this book, I remember the countless times that I have been faced with certain choices that now, as I look back on those decisions, have had enormous impact on my life today. It makes me reconsider my words when in a heated discussion. It makes me consider carefully my choices when dealing with people at church and at work.

The moments come without warning. And there is grace and mercy in those moments as well. How? Because God keeps sending those choices our way. To quote a character from the movie Vanilla Sky, "it's one more chance to turn it all around." If this book is possible, then that means that God keeps giving us a chance to make it right. He still pursues us and wants us to know that this is the moment...This could be the turning point in our life. What is our choice?