Life is filled with choices. Big ones and small ones. Every day we stand at the stop sign and have to make a choice. Most of them have only one correct choice. Some of these choices are so small, but the consequences can have a radical effect on people’s lives.

I was driving home from the Cape Town Waterfront. I took the ramp onto the fly-over that has been unfinished for more than 40 years and wondered who’ve made this wrong choice. But wait, I’m on the wrong track again.

For the sake of argument, say I have to get to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). After a few hundred metres on the fly-over there is a turn-off. The N1 turn-off. If I take it, this specific one, I won’t get to Gqeberha, but will end up at Beitbrug.

Just one simple choice, not a difficult one. I simply pulled the steering wheel slightly to the left, but it will take me so far away from the place I should be. Is the choice then really small if the consequence is so far-reaching?

I wonder how many small choices like these we’ve made already? How many of us now find ourselves at a place in our lives where there is no joy or peace, simply because we’ve made such a small meaningful choice?

I still remember when we had to make a choice to give up a good, guaranteed salary to work full-time for the Lord. There were so many uncertainties. One choice that could change our lives radically. And it did!

One of the biggest problems is that we can’t see around the next turn. Let’s look at the choice I had to make on the fly-over. I see the long uphill against the shoulder of Table Mountain. It’s not easy to push a bicycle up it. I know, I had to do it in the Cape Town Cycle Tour!

The other choice was a nice long downhill on the N1. Most of the time, we tend to take the easier choice. But often it takes us to a totally wrong destination.

We need wisdom. We need someone who can see around the corner. We need someone to help us not grab the easiest option, but the right one.

This is good advice: ⁵If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help.

When you’re uncertain about which turn-off to take to get you on the right road, open Google Maps. Chances are you will get the right recommendations about your route and turn-off choices.

For life’s turn-offs and roads, go to the One who’ve put everything together. He knows everything and can see around your turn. He will help you make all your choices, big or small.

Scripture
James 1:1-8

Reflection
What do your choices look like up to now?
Do you need help?
Can you ask?

Prayer
Father, I absolutely need help, every day, with every choice I need to make. Please help me do it. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.