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Musings from the Pastor's Desk
February 16, 2025
Choosing Love in Impossible Choices
"And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these is Love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13
As St. Valentine's Day approaches, Love is the word of the week. I'm posting a meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble from December 3, 2024, for a time such as this. Love and connection will help us to survive the chaos that has engulfed our country.
Rev. Cameron writes,
Two friends were caught in a storm while hiking in the mountains. They came upon a fork in the trail as the wind howled and snow began to fall. One path led up the mountain but was exposed to the storm's full force. The other path led down to a valley, where an icy river had flooded the trail. Neither choice was safe. They stood there, cold and scared, debating which way to go.
Finally, one friend said, "Let's choose the path where we'll stay together. No matter what happens, we won't leave each other behind." They chose the valley path, braving the icy river. They worked together, carefully crossing, encouraging one another, and finally reaching safety. The decision wasn't without risk but made in Love—choosing connection and care over fear or isolation.
Life often places us at forks in the road where no option feels perfect. These moments of impossible choices test us. We weigh risks and outcomes, knowing that neither path will be easy. It's tempting to get stuck in indecision, paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong. But Scripture reminds us that Love is the foundation of our decisions. "The greatest of these is love," Paul writes because Love gives us the courage to move forward, trusting that God's presence will sustain us.
Love doesn't mean we will always make the "right" choice in human terms. It means we choose with intention, guided by compassion, care, and connection. It means we prioritize what will bring healing and wholeness, even if the path is difficult. As the hikers chose to stay together, Love calls us to prioritize relationships, to act for the good of others, and to trust that even imperfect decisions can be redeemed by grace.
If you're facing an impossible choice, remember that Love doesn't ask for perfection—Love asks for faithfulness. When you let Love guide you, you are already on holy ground. Take heart, knowing that Love, even in uncertainty, leads us closer to the Sacred and to one another.
We are in this together,
Cameron
I'm including three reflection questions from Rev. Cameron.
- Have you ever faced an impossible choice? How did you make your decision?
- How might asking, "What would love have me do?" shift the way you approach difficult decisions?
- What practices can help you stay grounded in Love when life feels overwhelming?
May love unite us and give us the courage to love one another like Jesus loves us.
Peace+
Pastor Eric
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