Just recently, our oldest grandson has begun to ask questions related to the opposite sex. He’s ten years old and has suddenly realized that girls exist! Recently, he and his dad were having a “guys” night out. He told his dad that he was afraid his dad was going to get a girlfriend, and that it might be their waitress that night. Mark explained to Will that he would never think of having a girlfriend. He told him that he already had a girlfriend- Will’s mommy. Mark explained that he fell in love with Angela, and that she was the one God had for him. He told him, that once you find the right one, you never need to look for another girl. He explained that he and Angela made a covenant, a promise, to remain in love and committed to one another, and because of that, there would never be anyone else for him, except her. Will listened intently and then asked his dad, “Well, with so many good ones out there to choose from, how do you pick just one?”
As Angela was telling us about Mark’s conversation with Will relating to young women, we just laughed. Part of us enjoyed the freshness and innocence of his question. Yet, part of us was sad in realizing that he was growing up, and that he would be faced with so many choices. I wondered, would he seek intently after God, in order that He might know Him and know His voice? Would he follow His voice? Would he choose what God desired for his life? Would he know truth through knowing the God of truth? Would he grasp that God has one special young woman for him? Would he choose wisely?
I thought about the world and how it masks so many choices to look as if they are “good ones.” For instance, when a young woman finds herself pregnant and seeks a solution, the world says that she is too young to be a parent, too young to be strapped down. The world says that what she carries within her is just a fetus- not a human being; therefore, she should have an abortion. The world tells her that this “good one,” an abortion, is a short, easy procedure in which there will be no side effects. If you’re one of those young women who made that choice masked in the “good one” label, you can testify that that one choice came with quilt, shame, pain, and a lifetime of regret. What the world told you was a “good one,” was really a devastating one.
The world says you have every right to drink, do drugs, and look at pornography on the internet. After all, you’re not hurting anyone and you’re only young once. Besides, it’s your life and you can do what you want. You’re on your own now and out from under your parents thumb. Certainly, what you do with your time, your body, and your money is your business! These choices appear to be “good ones,” from the world’s perspective. But, if you or a loved one has been addicted to alcohol, drugs, or pornography, you know how destructive it can be. Addictions destroy lives, families, and often kill innocent people. They cause the addicted individual to do things they would never have dreamed of doing, such as rape, molestation, murder, stealing, lying, and violating the innocence of others.
There are so many choices- so many “good ones,” how do we know which ones to choose? God tells us that when making decisions, we are to be wise. We are also to seek Him and His will for our lives. James 1 says that if we lack wisdom, He will give generously to all who ask of Him. So before making a decision, ask Him for wisdom. Also, Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” When we are intently seeking after Him, we will not be lead astray.
“And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” Leviticus 20:26
“…you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23b
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19
“For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright.” Proverbs 3:32
Ahaz speaking of Jesus, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse evil and choose the good.” Isaiah 7:14-15