When Choices Meet Consequences

Two people. Different choices. Similar results.

I watched with interest this week as two people made life-altering choices that may produce very similar results. One person is facing serious legal ramifications, forever affecting the course that his life takes, as well as his long-term productivity. The other person – though not entangled with the legal system – has made a decision that will forever affect the productivity of her life as well. Both are unprepared for their perspective track – too young to be caught up in a system that’s neither kind nor fruitful.  

I’m sure that neither started out with their current situations in mind. At some point, their dreams were larger than life. At some point, they believed in overcoming the odds that may have been attached to them.

Ironically, they were just getting started — young enough to believe that dreams do come true and potentially had enough time to accomplish them. 

Now, however, whatever trail they were blazing has been derailed by their choices, undoubtedly pulling unwilling family members into the mix. The direct path to succeeding against odds suddenly became a roundabout, which is not God’s best intention for our lives. His desire is that wisdom and knowledge guide our decisions at the outset so that we walk unencumbered and reach our full potential.

What happens to the potential that is locked within them – untapped right at this very moment – but awaiting birth? What about their dreams?  Are they lost forever or just delayed?  The reality is that it’s out of their hands. They no longer have an option to choose what happens immediately because the consequences of their decisions come into play and are outside of their control. Most times, the full consequences and accompanying resolutions come over time. So instead of being where they should be when they should be, they are far from the original plan.

When we rob ourselves of our potential by making choices that are not good for us, we miss out on the full manifestation of God’s blessings that comes with being in the right place at the right time.

We also miss out on the opportunity to bless others fully with what God has blessed us with.