ON CHRISTIANITY

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: A few years ago I dropped out of school against my parents’ advice, and now I’m stuck in a low-paying job with no future. Maybe my letter will keep someone from making the same mistake. I wish I could go back and change things, but I can’t.

— C.McN. DEAR C.McN.: I’ve often said that one of life’s hardest lessons is that we cannot change the past. Often we don’t think about the consequences of a decision we’re making; all we think about is what’s happening at the moment. But decisions always have consequences, and bad decisions always have bad consequences — as you’ve discovered.

But listen: Although you can’t change the past, you can change the future — with God’s help. God loves you, and the most important decision you can ever make is to turn to Him and put your life into Christ’s hands. Don’t face the future alone; face it instead with Christ. God knows all about you; He knows the decisions you’ve made (or failed to make), and He also knows the future. By a simple prayer of faith confess your need for His forgiveness, and commit your life to Jesus Christ.

Then ask God to guide you in the future. For example, you may be able to finish your high school education through evening classes. It won’t be easy — but if God opens the door to further education, go through it.

Most of all, thank God for His love for you, and turn to Him every day for the encouragement and help you need. And like you, I hope your letter will encourage others to seek God’s will as they make decisions, and commit their lives and their futures to Christ. The Bible says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8).