Early summer of 2002, I felt as if things had jelled for me and proclaimed that I had “discovered the meaning of life,” when I burst through the front door of the house, startling my wife mid-mise en place at kitchen counter.
Then as now, I think it boils down to “choice.” In fact, the home page of this very website says as much.
Think Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:16-17 where we read about a tree and a choice as to whether man eats of it or not. God commands, man disobeys. In choice, the real “power” isn’t in yes, it’s in no. Google “Paco Underhill.” Nine out of the Ten Commandments are unequivocal Thou shalt nots; Exodus 20:12 is effectively a “do not” presented in mom-talk as a “do.”
And the all-you need prayer prescription recorded at Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus closed on an ask that we not be led into temptation — choosing wrongly.