I'm a fan of the Indiana Jones movies. Well, at least 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'The Last Crusade'. In my humble opinion, 'Temple of Doom' really sucked. And I haven't had a chance to watch 'The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'.
'He chose...poorly' comes from 'The Last Crusade'. The whole movie is about the quest for the Holy Grail - a cup that Jesus supposedly used at the Last Supper. This mythical Holy Grail apparently gives immortality to whoever drinks it. Indiana and a couple of villains finally locate the cave where the Holy Grail is supposed to be, and they have to choose among the hundreds and thousands of shining goblets around them. Drinking from the right cup will give you eternal life. Drinking from the wrong cup will kill you.The villain chooses the shiniest, jewel-encrusted goblet she can find. He drinks and dies. The knight who is guarding the cave says somberly, 'He chose...poorly'.
Then, Indiana reflects to himself that Jesus was a humble man, and he picks the shabbiest looking wooden cup there is. He draws some water and gives it to his Dad, who is dying of bullet wound. His Dad is revived. But they have to leave the place without the cup (Of course. Typical movie cliches.)
Why this long spiel about choosing?Well, I've made many new friends in Taiwan. And I'm getting to know a lot of the better as the months roll along. Perhaps everyone is at this 'age', meaning everyone's ready to find that 'someone' in their lives. It's been interesting to hear of different people's experiences. Their ups and downs. And as I reflect back on the majority of the people I've encountered, so many people choose poorly. Many reasons - short-sightedness, lack of accountability, insecurities, desperation, lack of prayer etc. The number of people who compromise when it comes to this area has been quite eye-opening.
I'm no saint. I've made many poor choices in my life, mainly in this area of BGR. I know how easy it is to have blind spots. To be overwhelmed by emotions. For me, the issue was not so much the 'person', but more of the 'timing' and the 'accountability'. AND also, the tendency to make my other half a 'drug' to soothe the pain of reality. But thank God for mercy and grace, and giving me a vision big enough to keep me on track for the past few years. But I ache for the many people I've met and I'm still continuing to meet. It's almost like meeting ticking time bombs.
It's been really ironic that I have been giving BGR advice left-right-centre very recently, and praying with many people about their life-partners. But I hope that whatever wisdom and experience that God has seen fit to bestow on me despite my stubbornness in the past will be able to benefit many to choose...not poorly, but choose wisely. Choose the best God has for them [though it might be in a 'shabbier' package than the glittering poisonous cups around them]. Choose with God's leading and confirmation. And so help me God that I will choose wisely when it's my turn. Amen.
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