I had to make a tough choice today. I was taught a few years ago that the tough choices in life are not right versus wrong. Those are easey. The tough ones are right versus right.
I was all set to accept a new job. Hours before I submitted my written acceptance of the offer, a friend who works for the company called me and warned me of an extreme uncertainty with the company. This friend was in fact the person who introduced me to the company and got me the interview.
I have developed a respect and liking to the owner and did not want to go back on my verbal commitment to join the company. Particularly after deliberations and generous offers.
So I had to make a right versus right decision. Follow through on my word in spite of the news I received... OR.... back away from the job because of the news (which is somewhat subjective) I received... OR .... discuss the issue with the owner who would immediately know where I got the information and that may not bode well for my friend. So actually this is a right versus right versus right decision.
Is this not more often the case in life? Where there are merits to all of the options in front of us? And all merits are noble and credible? And somehow we have to weigh them and make a choice of the better of the merits?
My first decision was to uphold my loyalty to my friend and not disclose to the owner where I heard the piece of info. My next was to my family and not take the leap of faith into the new job when I already have a good one.... I did not want to risk good for a chance at better.
The "right" that I decided against was to follow through on my word to the owner to come on board after long discussions. This was not easy but I narrowed the decision down to the most meaningful crieteria.
I am left a little anxious for not being able to choose all options. But at the same time have comfort in knowing that I made the difficult decision wisely and in a manner that was true to myself and in the best service to God as I understand him and the people in my life.
I suppose in these respects we really cannot do wrong for doing right. But these are the more cumbersome choices. Right versus right. Yet the ability to make clear choices in these right/right circumstances are a mark of maturity and strength that will serve us well in all areas of our lives.
I often think of Solomon in the Bible and his priority on seeking wisdom. I can imagine in ruling a kingdom, how many right versus right decisions he would have had to make. Not unlike our modern political leaders.
This is the type of outworking of the Bible that is meaningful to me. This is where I currently feel my relationship with God shows itself. Funny.... I have had less church than I have ever had and yet discovered more truths from the Bible than ever.
And frankly, the pain, agony and confusion of the past few years has brought me to a place where I feel I can make better decisions of this type than I ever could before.
"What the enemy meant for evil... God turned around for good". (Chaz paraphrased version).
