Choices

— By Leta Witt, pastor’s wife and free-lance author, Gravette, Arkansas.

Wrong choices. Why do we make them? Fear of what others might think? A lack of faith in a loving God? A stubborn will to do things our own way? Fear that God does not know what He is doing? Pure ignorance?

One summer, I spent two weeks in an ESL academy in southern Arkansas. When the final day arrived, I was elated that we were dismissed two hours earlier than expected. I wanted to get home for the ongoing local campmeeting.

As I headed toward home I came to an intersection where I was faced with a choice, east or west. I knew Gravette was not in the eastern part of the state, so I chose the other road. It was a beautiful day, perfect for driving the six hours home. I hoped to arrive in time for the evening service.

However, after a while I began to feel uneasy. I should have been nearing Little Rock. Then I saw a sign, Texarkana, 8 miles. Surely that was not right! Finally I checked a rest area map and discovered I was indeed on the wrong road. Even today I can feel my chagrin that I had wasted those two precious hours!

The result of that poor choice caused me distress, but Abram’s choice to lie about his wife brought worse consequences. It caused suffering in Pharaoh’s palace, and Abram and his family were sent away from the land of plenty back to the area of famine from which they had fled.

When making choices, it is always best to obey God.

Elisha’s Right Choice

— by Leta Witt, pastor’s wife and free-lance writer from Gravette, Arkansas.

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me” (II Kings 2:9).

As a young bride, we visited my husband’s grandma’s house on several holidays. While setting the table, it amused me to see names on pieces of paper taped on some dishes. When I asked about it, she told me that when she died, those people were to receive those dishes. I felt it a rather strange practice, so it was several years before I gathered courage to ask for “my inheritance” — a set of stemware glasses. They are in my cabinet today.

Elisha somehow knew that his mentor Elijah would soon leave him and go to heaven. The two men visited companies of the prophets at Bethel, Jericho, and Gilgal. At each place, Elijah told Elisha to stay there, but Elisha was determined to stay with his teacher. After crossing the Jordan on dry ground, when asked what he wanted, Elisha was ready with his answer — he wanted to inherit Elijah’s ministry. I imagine Elijah was pleased with the request, but of course, the determination was left up to the Lord. As Elisha saw him leave, he knew his request had been granted. His had indeed been a wise choice.

The choices of our youth may well affect us and others for eternity.

Consequently . . .

By Leta Witt — pastor’s wife and free-lance writer from Gravette, Arkansas.

As a pastor’s wife, I have come into contact with people from various backgrounds. Some of my friends have drug addicts for parents and struggle with additions themselves. Others come from abusive and dysfunctional homes, others have extremely controlling parents. When I look at these lives, it makes me realize how very blessed that I have a holiness heritage. Both my grandfathers and at least one great-grandfather were holiness preachers. My father invested most of his life in Christian school education. These men didn’t just profess holiness, they lived it. Consequently, my two brothers are very involved in their churches and our three children are serving the Lord. Since our forefathers determined to serve God, a blessing has been felt in each succeeding generation.

Abraham had a choice to make: obey God and step out into the unknown, or stay in comfortable, familiar Ur of the Chaldees. However, God sweetened the command with the promise of his progeny’s becoming a great nation and also being the source of great blessing. How wonderful when people today decide to serve God. Their families and others are recipients of the resulting blessing from God.

How Could They Do That?

By Leta Witt — Pastor’ wife, serving on Herald and Banner Press Board of Publications

Recently reading the Easter story in the book of Matthew, I was struck with the actions of several of its main characters. These were people who knew Jesus, some more closely than others. They saw the miracles, heard His teachings and yet responded differently.

Jesus’ disciples traveled with Him, marveled at his ability to command the wind and sea, and distributed the loaves and fish to the multitudes. They learned what the parables really meant. These men were His friends, but they ran for their lives when the temple guards came to arrest Him. How could they do that?

The priests and religious leaders witnessed first hand Jesus’ power over deformities, evil spirits, and even death. Did not they not realize that this man was, at the very least, sent from the God whom they professed to serve? What an opportunity they missed! They could have learned so much from Jesus. However, their self-importance, their fear of losing their authority over the people and of losing what political rights they had with Rome blinded their eyes. They called for the crucifixion of the very Son of God? How could they do that?

And the ones who guarded the tomb — of all people, they were the ones who knew the truth of the resurrection. They felt the earthquake, saw the angel, and witnessed the huge stone being rolled away. Those things did not normally happen during their duties. This had to be from God. Their response? They reported to the priests and obeyed the command to tell people that the disciples came and stole the body. Why did they not have the intestinal fortitude to tell the truth? Were they afraid they would lose their jobs? Whatever the reason, they spread their lies. How could they do that?

Thankfully, not everyone abandoned Jesus in the time of his humiliation. Many women and some disciples remained near the foot of the cross. Two men, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus, carried his body to the tomb. They were willing to be associated with the crucified Man. After His resurrection, Jesus’ disciples and many others were so convinced of the divinity of Jesus that they spread the word throughout the known world and were even willing to die rather than to deny Him. How could they do that?

How about us today? It is becoming more and more politically incorrect to be a Christian. Will we dilute the gospel so that it is acceptable to today’s society? If not, what will we do in face of persecution? Will we deny Him, or will we gladly stand, voice our commitment to God and tell others how Jesus can change their lives? With God’s power, someday others may look at us and ask, “How can they do that?”