The Valley of Decision

We all have to take countless decisions in our lives. Some are daily routine, others occur less often, like deciding which party or candidates to vote for in the coming elections. But what God has revealed is that the most important decision facing people of all times and nations is whether they will choose to be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ and live His way, or choose their own way.

God the Father wants us all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth but that doesn’t mean that everyone is heeding. Through St Paul, God’s word tells us:

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God
(2Cor. 5:20)

In the old Testament the prophet Joel had this vision: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!” (Joel 3:14). This occurs in the valley of Jehoshaphat in Jerusalem where people are having to give an account to God for their whole lives.

The French philosopher Camus made an important observation saying: “You do not need to wait for the last judgment; it is taking place right now in the decisions and directions you are making in life”

Peter Kreeft puts it this way: “We are constructing our very selves with every choice we make, like statues sculpting their own shape with the chisel of free will. And those selves, souls, characters, are destined for eternity” (Three Philosophies of Life, pg 55).

Indeed we live in the Valley of Decision. The most important thing is being convinced of the amazing love and truth of God, trusting in His great mercy and compassion and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, to resolve to keep deciding to persevere along the ‘narrow road that leads to life‘ (Matt 7:14).