SINCERELY SCOTTY: Crossroads

By Walter Scott

“Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things.  The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” – Louis E. Boone

For all people, young and older, leaving home perhaps for the first time, I would like to give you some thoughts to take with you.  Actually, these thoughts apply to all of us, but we probably haven’t stopped long enough to consider it until after the fact.

Did you ever look back and think of all the could-have-beens in your life?  I can safely say that I have and I would wonder: Did I make the right choice – did I miss a road sign – am I on the right track?

We all have crossroads in our lives and while we may not recognize it, they continue to occur.  We say goodbye to some, hello to others, choose a career, and choose a mate.  Letting go our children, and yet, holding on – even at a distance, but facing what must eventually come.  Yes, there is always a crossroad somewhere ahead in our lives.  We sometimes must make emotionally painful decisions and take risks as we, young or old, pursue our dreams.  Each crossroad opens to new opportunity in our life, but we must take advantage of it.

However, we must not linger at these crossroads of life very long.  Indecision is sometimes very costly in life’s travels.  Will Rogers once said, “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”  A good example of a crossroad: we see young birds leave the safety of their nests and learn to fly.  There is something in nature that determines when this big event is to occur.  And when they do, they are entering life’s road alone.  They just passed a crossroad. The road through life is long and sometimes rough, and there are parts where we must travel it alone; where we are responsible for our decisions with only limited guidance.

I feel certain that, at some point, when we come upon a crossroad in life, we inevitably ask ourselves, “Do I turn or go straight ahead?”  Ah, yes, we question the direction to take now in search for truth and guidance in our lives.  Back in 1692, Harvard College, now a university, adopted its motto “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae,” meaning “Truth for Christ and the Church.”  Their crest depicted three books, one face down, to show the limitations of human knowledge.  It was very symbolic.  However, in recent decades that book has been turned face up to represent the unlimited capacity of the human mind and with that change the motto was changed to simply “Veritas” – “Truth.”  I have always encouraged the pursuit of knowledge, and yet without some wisdom, some guidance, to go with it, it can lead to pride and a reluctance to accept any limits on our mental abilities.  Many young people at this point either ignore or reject biblical truth.  Unfortunately, there may be many crossroads before they learn the real truth.

Sometimes the truth hurts, but it will surely provide guidance and insight.  The sorrowful pangs of parting will ultimately give birth to another event called growing.  As in my example of the young birds, it is, then, the growing part of life we must travel alone.  So we grow on in life’s road until it’s time for us to arrive and face the next crossroad again, but perhaps this time we have learned that God loves us and is there to guide us, if we would only ask.

There is some consolation if you meet the cross at the road – often at a road less traveled.  As I have traveled parts of life’s road alone, I have sometimes thought of the 23rd Psalm, “…..Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow …..” I am reminded that for a shadow to be cast, there must be a Light somewhere.  It is certainly food for thought.

Sincerely, Scotty   

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