When you make “the big decision” that’s supposed to be the moment—right? You are a new creation. The old is gone. The new has come. But what if it doesn’t happen in a moment? What if “the big decision” actually involved a number of smaller decisions? What if it was a gradual change? Is that possible?
For many people here, “the big decision”, the transition from death to life, from bondage to freedom, seems to be a process. My good friend and brother Sahara, when I first came here, told me that he followed two ways: the way of his people and the way of the Redeemer. I remember being discouraged by his answer then. But a funny thing happened. Over the following months, he slowly chose the way of life and forsook his old ways. Today his is walking in strength and truth.
Yet, for some the outcome is not so clear. Recently a good friend and brother came by the house to tell me how he was. He had been a strong brother with great ambitions before, but now he was telling me about his place in society and his return to trying to walk both paths. It worried me. I thought he had forsaken and rejected the old way, but apparently not completely. I am deeply distressed for him. Sahara may have started on two paths, but since choosing one, he has not turned back. This friend wants to go back, and like the foolish man who built his house on the sand, I worry about his future.
This same week a woman who knows one of our female team mates came up to me and told me how much she likes the good news. I was greatly encouraged. But she went on to tell me that she follows both ways. It sounded like Sahara all over again. I encouraged her to keep searching.
Could it be that “the big decision” is a process? For many here, it seems to have at least two steps: First acceptance of good news and later rejection of old ways. It seems like both decisions are necessary and vital. Maybe this is true for all of us and every day we make choices toward the way of life or the way of death. Is this what Paul meant when he talked about “working things out?”
PRAYERS ANSWERED
All the plans for our Christmas parties are going well. We will do the first one on Saturday. Everyone is in good health. We have really enjoyed celebrating Advent as a family. (Grace loves blowing out the candles! “It’s my birthday,” she says.)
PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for our good friends as they consider the two paths. Pray that when the time comes, they will make a clean break from the past and not turn back. The special water service has been postponed due to gossip and pressure from the outside. Pray for wisdom and discernment for those making decisions about this important event. Another friend will soon travel to pursue studies abroad. Pray that we can have good goodbyes and finish the stories that we have been studying together (especially that we find time to read them.) Peter has broken out badly on his neck, pray that his skin would clear up quickly.
