of the world, but I chose

[Until my sticky note scribblings and inner musings become themselves connected to the Internet, you'll have to settle for tardy ponderings.] Thinking today of long-lasting consequences. Law of sin already acts as the precedent -- one sin has eternal consequences. Our own legal system has another example. Felony = 5-10 in the slammer. But those are sins. What about poor choices that aren't necessarily sin?

An early divorce without due cause at the age of 35 might mean you are never qualified to be an elder of a church. An early marriage at the age of 18 to an unbeliever might mean several years of misery later on; possibly years of trauma to any little ones caught up in the long-ago choice. That last word said in anger to your friend right before he is accidentally killed? Might haunt you for the rest of your years, therapy or no.

It's the reason that listening for His voice is important. It's the reason that obedience is so closely tied to faith. All of these poor choices fall outside His path for you. Want to know why that trial is in front of you? You should ask that version of you standing behind you from years past.