By Canon Deborah Parsons, Canon Chancellor
Every day, we make choices – some small and barely noticeable, others life-changing and profound. From deciding what we eat or wear each day, to how we spend our time or treat others, our decisions quietly shape who we are and the direction our lives take. Making choices is an unavoidable part of being human, and learning to make them wisely is an important life skill.
Good choices often require reflection rather than impulse. While quick decisions can be useful in emergencies, many situations benefit from pausing to think about consequences. Asking simple questions such as: What will this lead to? Who might this affect? Does this align with my values? can help guide thoughtful decision-making. Choices rooted in honesty, kindness and responsibility tend to have more positive and lasting outcomes.
In her book “Making Choices,” Margaret Silf shared that sometimes “when we are praying whether to opt for x or y we find that z is the answer.” I find this very helpful. Often when Jesus was presented with difficult choices, such as: “Should we give money to Caesar or to God?” he refused to be drawn into dualistic thinking. Instead, he answered, “Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar and give to God what is due to God.” His answer was an “and-both.”
However, making choices is not always easy. Pressure from others, fear of failure, or lack of information can make decisions feel overwhelming. Mistakes are inevitable, but they can also become valuable teachers. When we reflect on poor choices, we gain insight that helps us make better ones in the future. Growth often comes not from always choosing correctly, but from learning when things go wrong.
Ultimately, making choices is about taking responsibility for our lives. While we can`t control every circumstance, we can control how we respond. Each decision, no matter how small, is an opportunity to shape our character and influence our future. By choosing thoughtfully and learning from experience, we become more confident, resilient, and purposeful in the paths we choose to follow.
Perhaps, in this season of Epiphany, we can find reassurance in the deeper assurance that whatever we choose, God can work through it for the greater good.