It would have been a far easier, more convenient thing for God to have created robots instead of offspring capable of making choices.
If Adam and Eve had not been cognizant, thinking individuals with the ability of choosing, the Garden of Eden would probably still be in full flower.
If Jonah had not had a choice, there would be no story of Jonah and the “great fish.”
If Christ had not had a choice, the Cross would be reduced to a foreordained act of brutal cosmic drama.
If we had no choice, there would be no such thing as sin, for we could not responsibly do either good or bad.
However, God loved humanity enough, trusted us enough, to bless us with choice. The blessing appears at times to be a curse. Even St. Paul lamented, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” (Romans 7:19).
No matter what happens to you, you still have a choice. There is no such thing as a choiceless life. You always have a choice! A God Alert
For example, suppose someone does something that hurts you. What has happened is external, outside of you. Your reaction that takes place on the inside is your own. You respond, “But I can’t do anything about what has happened to me.”
Right there you have given up without a fight. You can do something. Your reaction to what has happened is still your own choice. How you choose to react is the one thing that no one can take away from you. Lent is a special time for choosing.
You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
With some thoughts from Richard Hasler
