Choosing Your Path

Years ago, as Alfred Nobel was reading the newspaper, he was shocked to find his name listed in the obituary column. It was a mistake, but nonetheless, there it was. What stunned him even more was what the obituary said. As he read through it he discovered that the only thing the obituary noted about him was the fact that he was the man who had invented dynamite.

At that time in history, dynamite was used in great effect for warfare. It distressed Nobel to think that all he would be known for was inventing dynamite, something that was used to take the lives of others. As a result of reading this mistaken obituary, Nobel decided to change the course of his life, he set a course to change his legacy.

From that day on, Alfred Nobel committed himself to world peace and established what we know today as the Nobel Peace Prize. When the name Alfred Nobel is mentioned today, dynamite is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. Rather, we think of the prize that bears his name. It's all because Alfred Nobel decided to change the course his life was taking.

Another man, living centuries earlier, also changed the negative course his life was on. His name was Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus. Known as a relentless persecutor of the early church, he was determined to stop the spread of Christianity. But after a dramatic encounter with God one day, Saul, who’s name was changed to Paul, turned his life around 180 degrees. Like Nobel, he changed the course of his life and rather than being in individual bent on the destruction of Christianity, he became a man bent of the proclamation of God’s love, grace and forgiveness. Today Paul is known as a missionary, church planter, and author of 13 books in the New Testament.

With that in mind, let me ask you this: If you were to read your own obituary today, what do you think people would remember you for?

Your answer to the question and someone else’s answer to that question might be two quite different answers. Nobel wouldn’t have guessed he would be remember for dynamite, but that was everyone else’s answer. So what did he do? He changed the course of his life.

And friend, it isn't too late to change your direction....if you need to. Maybe you don’t, but maybe you do. Proverbs 16:17 says this:

The path of the upright leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

What path are you on? Is it a path that will lead you to the destination you want it to, or is it a path that will lead you where you don’t want to end up? Tiger Woods chose a path. Bernie Madoff chose a path. Mark McGwire chose a path.

Alfred Nobel chose a path........but then chose a different path.

Let me encourage you to press the pause button on life as we begin a new year. Take a close look at the path you’re on. Make whatever adjustments might be necessary. Then press play again, and pursue life with all you have within you!!!

God bless.........and Happy New Year to you!!!