WATERSHED MOMENTS

From My Perspective - - -

Life is a journey marked by many events, experiences and decisions. There are peaks and valleys; many joys as well as sorrows; a sense of satisfaction but also times of disappointments. We can find ourselves caught up in circumstances and events that were unforeseen and/or unplanned. At such times, we can become overwhelmed and frightened. These can become and often are watershed moments for us. What is a Watershed Moment? The concept of a Watershed Moment comes from the literal meaning of a point where a watershed system is split into two definite paths, such as a river dividing into two branches. Each branch of the river will go on its separate course and direction. The phrase is also used to mean a critical turning point or a moment where everything changes. Once that moment occurs, things will never be the same again. The phrase can also be used to mean something political in a country, or something meaningful in someone's life.

In our lifetime, we have all witnessed or experienced the reality of watershed moments. Among them are: (1) The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; (2) the first use of an Atomic Bomb on August 6, 1945; (3) the terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001; (4) The Benghazi Attack that destroyed the American Consulate in Libya and killed the American Ambassador along with three other Americans on September 11, 2012; (5) The Boston Marathon Bombing on Patriots Day – April 15, 2013; (6) devastating Tornadoes within the past three years that has caused loss of life and destruction of property; and (7) the current world turmoil among nations and the perceived weakness and lack of resolve on the part of the United States. The list could be endless in terms of events, experiences and decisions that have become Watershed Moments.

There was an interesting story (more of a brief blurb) regarding people reaching Watershed Moments when they arrive at age 30. That may be true for some but it still returns one to events, experiences and decisions one makes along the way. It should be a life-goal for a person to have some direction and commitment earlier than age 30. To arrive at more serious considerations, one should realize the totality of who he/she is as a person. One is more than a physical entity with greater or lesser intellectual acumen (good judgment; shrewdness; sharp mental capacity). One also has a spiritual dimension that should not be ignored or neglected. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 states, “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart…” One is not a mere robot or human machine. There is much more to how God designed the human being. The Apostle Paul shared his thought on the multi-dimensional person when he offered a prayer in I Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

All of us are aware of the mind, emotions and will factors. As our lives intersect with events, experiences and decisions, there is a tremendous need and benefit for one to make wise and sound choices. There should never be a choice made on the basis of impulse or in terms of how something makes one feel. Joshua stood before the people of his day and presented them with a Watershed Moment – a time for serious thought and choice. Joshua 24:14-16 summarizes his thrust, “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Project yourself into that Watershed Moment and challenge. What would be germinating in your mind, emotions and will as you heard these compelling words? Would it have stirred you positively or negatively? Would you have noted the benefit of the wise and positive choice versus the detriment of an unwise and negative choice? If you were at a similar Watershed Moment, would you want to supplement your choice with personal conditions? Total Commitment to a wise choice must always be unconditional. Consider these things with me!