Decision making is a vital part of life, and the things that are placed before us are there for a reason. It is not only their appeal that ought to motivate us in our decision-making process, but our destiny also hangs in the balance. Just one move in the wrong direction can set in motion a series of events that may require more than one lifetime to correct. Why would God entrust us with such a precious enterprise as choice when He knows the end from the beginning? Scripture even tells us that “We are made in His image. He chose us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him” (Ephesians 1:4).          

Our public and private worlds are the result of previous choices. Originally, God created all things and pronounced goodness upon the whole of His creation. But then, He placed all that He made before Adam to see what he would name things and do with them. The process of categorization requires recognizing the distinctions and uniqueness of each category. However, when the identity of distinction is lost in the mix of quantity, misuse is inevitable. Generally speaking, people have no discernment of distinctions where identity is lost. If a person does not know who he is or where he is, there is the tendency to follow the direction of anyone who appears to have the advantage. This occurs in what exists within our current society – the richest leading the moderately wealthy and the poor; the prestigious and powerful leading those who are not on their level. The leadership vacuum exists when the original plan and purpose of God is overlooked, ignored, or neglected. Consequently, people decide to engage in activities that serve the purpose of their leaders with the objective to make the rich richer, the famous more famous, or any other selfish interest that may have contributed to their rise in life. The individual forfeits his personhood and becomes a statistic while the person leading them is motivated by his strength being increased by numbers. 

Right choices can only be made when the right direction is made clear. Yes, it is easy to point out the fact that things are moving forward while the scenery continues to change and the environment shifts in a different direction. But the most significant question is, “where are we headed?” Economic shifts and policy changes cannot stand as a substitute for the erosion of character. Hatred, selfishness, racial divisions, and dishonesty have contributed to personal and global insecurities. We are currently on a path of a cultural collision that is certain to erupt unless new questions are asked and a new direction is sought after. 

When the blind lead the blind, the end of the road is a dead end or a ditch. “There is a way that appears to be right for a man, but the end or the consequences is certain death.” Since it is not immediate but ultimate, many willingly take their chances and run the risk as long as it saves face. On the surface, everything appears right, but the content beneath the surface is deadly. This is the plight of single-issue politics. Sometimes change must occur from within the system or the party, and when basic decency exists, the opportunity remains for a shift in values based on new information provided. But when character is compromised, truth does not matter. Either way, we must pray that hearts may be changed or a new heart given to the heartless. Nevertheless, a decision must be made. Now it’s your turn, and the future is yours to decide.