HE INIMITABLE BASEBALLcharacter Yogi Berra once quipped, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!”
A common sight is the individual standing where a path divides, studying a signpost and weighing what direction to take—the proverbial indecision at the fork in the road.
Individuals, however, are not alone in facing the challenges and perplexities that come with arriving at a crossroads. Groups, as well, experience those sometimes gut-wrenching moments of decision on which, in some cases, their entire destiny may turn.
Which Direction?
Today Adventists, riding high on a rich heritage, face our destiny—that final fork in the road. Like the Olympic athlete, poised for the contest, which is the culmination of years of training, Adventists are teetering on the cusp of that moment for which we came into the world. And, like Olympic athletes, we may succeed gloriously, or not.
As we review our past, we see epic developments that clearly demonstrate the leading of a divine hand. The memory of these signal providences evokes a multiplicity of emotions in us: gratitude, certainty, hope, faith, and, at times, even security and pride.
Jesus foresaw the danger that a sense of spiritual momentum, pride, and security can engender and warned His followers: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matt. 26:41, KJV).
Even more directly He addressed
the church of today in His message to Laodicea: “I know your deeds. . . . So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Rev. 3:15-17).
So we stand at a fork in the road, studying the signs. What are our choices? How can they be distilled to their essence?
Where Next?
Stand with me here at the fork and study the signs. The first, most prominently displayed sign points straight ahead and reminds us of our past
and current achievements, suggesting that course adjustments are unnecessary. Under this sign, in neat rows, are a bevy of brochures reciting various aspects of the grand story that is ours: The Little Church That Could! The full-color, glossy brochures treat such themes as the power and broad impact of the Millerite movement; the sturdy spiritual leaders thrown up at that movement, who led in the formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; the successful formation of an effective publishing work; the unprecedented introduction of a systematic approach to healthful living; the development of the largest Protestant parochial educational system in the world. The list goes on.
As we read, a conviction grips us that we have been on the right course, and we are about to plunge straight ahead when another sign catches our attention. It has no arrow indicating a direction, but simply states: “You’re on the wrong path!” It appears to have been removed from the post and renailed at a lower level, within easy reach of anyone wanting to add to its message. The resulting graffiti includes such messages as “Abandon Ship!” “2,300 days . . . HUMBUG!” “Beware of Structure! (check us out on the Web at: www.sendyourtithehere.org).” “Ellen Who?”
These rather sacrilegious jabs strengthen our resolve to continue a straight-ahead bearing, when we note one other sign swinging in the light breeze from its one remaining rusty nail. Looking like a scrap out of a Carpenter’s shop, the hand-carved message, mostly obscured by road dust, is difficult to read. We shinny up the pole to dust it off and find the words: “To those who have ears . . .” (see Rev. 3:22). As we line up the holes that the now-absent nails occupied, the direction of the arrow swings away from the pathways that make up the fork in front of us and point up the face of a rocky cliff.
We’re puzzled. However, as we carefully study the steep incline, we begin to see a handhold here, a foothold there . . .