Posted by Alex Caughey on February 21, 2018, 10:56 pm
Isaiah 55:11 ESV
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Robert Frost's popular poem... The Road Not Taken... is often represented as a choice between one path, or another...whereas it has also been argued that the poem speaks to the birth right of every human person to make our own journey through life, without having to follow the path already trodden by others.
Our choices are at the heart of Frost's words when deciding to follow the path already established by mainstream travellers seeking a safe passage, or to "put out into the deep" by following our instinct, that inner inspiration asking us to trust its invitation...to follow me.
When we arrive at that fork that lies just down the road most of us choose the perceived safety of the road most travelled, there being an awareness that selecting a route that is off the beaten track might well pose risks that are best avoided, if only to reduce our sense of anxiety that we could not cope, and overcome our fear of the unknown.
An ambiguity springs to mind when the question of free will, versus determinism invites the traveller to consider a choice that will reveal more who of who we are as an explorer of life's invitation to better "know thyself," thereby revealing the person we are born to become. The Road Not Taken is also about what did not happen - for the explorer, faced with a life affirming decision, chose not to follow a well known path confident that they would be able to overcome their fears, their instinctive response to the challenges that waits for all who accept the call of The Saviour, to let Him shepherd us through life.
Thanks for you post Alex. Always have been a mind stimulant. I was thinking of Jesus’ path. His travelling. And his fork in the road. Jesus opted for obedience. Obedience to his Father, God. Would you say ‘free will’ is a form of obedience! In the garden, praying, Christ did plead with his father to ‘pass the cup’. He fought ‘free will’ and obedience intensely with both blood and sweat.
I guess I’m wondering does it really matter what road or path we take as long as we know that God is with us..even if we fall or seemingly get lost along our way..God will always be there however quiet things may be.
Just wondering re choice and obedience. Cheers Alex
--Previous Message-- : Isaiah 55:11 ESV : : So shall my word be that goes out from my : mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but : it shall accomplish that which I purpose, : and shall succeed in the thing for which I : sent it. : : Robert Frost's popular poem... The Road : Not Taken. .. is often represented as a : choice between one path, or : another...whereas it has also been argued : that the poem speaks to the birth right of : every human person to make our own journey : through life, without having to follow the : path already trodden by others. : : Our choices are at the heart of Frost's : words when deciding to follow the path : already established by mainstream travellers : seeking a safe passage, or to " put out : into the deep " by following our : instinct, that inner inspiration asking us : to trust its invitation...to follow me. : : When we arrive at that fork that lies just : down the road most of us choose the : perceived safety of the road most travelled, : there being an awareness that selecting a : route that is off the beaten track might : well pose risks that are best avoided, if : only to reduce our sense of anxiety that we : could not cope, and overcome our fear of the : unknown. : : An ambiguity springs to mind when the : question of free will, versus determinism : invites the traveller to consider a choice : that will reveal more who of who we are as : an explorer of life's invitation to better : "know thyself," thereby revealing : the person we are born to become. : : The Road Not Taken is also about what did : not happen - for the explorer, faced with a : life affirming decision, chose not to follow : a well known path confident that they would : be able to overcome their fears, their : instinctive response to the challenges that : waits for all who accept the call of The : Saviour, to let Him shepherd us through : life. : : end : :
Free will implies choice, there being an awareness that there are choices for us to make on any given matter.
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus manifested doubt evidencing his human condition, for He was aware that He would face torture, and nailing to a cross. Fear is always lurking in the shadows inviting us to panic when danger is at hand.
In our relationship with Our Father we are made aware of the sacrifices we should make, to evidence our love for Our Father.
In all covenants between parties there is a quid pro quo that requires a commitment of trust, not just words that speak of our intentions.
Reciprocation is evidence that a covenant is working, according to the agreement between the parties, who freely chose to enter into a loving relationship.
Jesus regained his composure evidencing that his trust (faith) in The Father's love for Him would guarantee that all would be well.
Religious tradition makes use of terms such as obedience, and submission to the will of God...however, my own experiences teaches me that love conquers all our doubts, and vanquishes fear to open a path that guarantees our safe passage. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. ~Psalm 103:17-18 | NIV
Great. Got it. Thank you, Alex. And, the Psalm too, says it all..
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” ~Psalm 103:17-18 | NIV
With renewed thanks Alex. Cheers. --Previous Message-- : Hi pip, : : Free will implies choice, there being an : awareness that there are choices for us to : make on any given matter. : : In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus : manifested doubt evidencing his human : condition, for He was aware that He would : face torture, and nailing to a cross. Fear : is always lurking in the shadows inviting us : to panic when danger is at hand. : : In our relationship with Our Father we are : made aware of the sacrifices we should make, : to evidence our love for Our Father. : : In all covenants between parties there is a : quid pro quo that requires a commitment of : trust, not just words that speak of our : intentions. : : Reciprocation is evidence that a covenant is : working, according to the agreement between : the parties, who freely chose to enter into : a loving relationship. : : Jesus regained his composure evidencing that : his trust (faith) in The Father's love for : Him would guarantee that all would be well. : : Religious tradition makes use of terms such : as obedience, and submission to the will of : God...however, my own experiences teaches me : that love conquers all our doubts, and : vanquishes fear to open a path that : guarantees our safe passage. : : But from everlasting to everlasting : the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, : and his righteousness with their children’s : children— : with those who keep his covenant : and remember to obey his precepts. : ~Psalm 103:17-18 | NIV : : : end : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :