Hello, my name is Steve Harvey, and
I am a Life Scout. I was so close to earning my Eagle Scout rank. Dad told me
that earning the rank would open many financial doors for me, that I couldn’t
even begin to imagine. For whatever stupid reason I could say, it comes
down to it that not earning my rank was a protest against my parents, a choice against
my dad. I rationalized that he wanted it more than I did. Of course he wanted
me to complete it, but not for himself, but because like many parents, he
wanted the best opportunities for his son, me. Of course, I am writing this blog not too far
removed from the age he was when we had our arguments about this topic. So
hindsight is indeed 20/20. My sincerest apologies for all the times I thought
you weren’t so sure of yourself, Dad.
When I first chose dad’s alma
mater, the University of Arizona, funds weren’t so important to me. Yes, I saw
a few scholarships for Eagles. But when I went to Bible College, Ozark Christian
College in Joplin, MO, to be precise, I became acutely aware of how much I
needed help. I was given a book to borrow from the financial aid office listing
all sorts of scholarships and grant available. What I didn’t realize was that there
were a LOT of scholarships for Eagles going into the ministry. There was nothing
for Life Scouts, or for those who’ve aged out of Scouting. I was both. {Reread
the last sentence of the previous paragraph.} The book contained dozens of different
scholarships, at the time, for Eagles. Many were only partials, or short terms.
Several though, were full ride, even for a private school such as Ozark.
Yet there were no exceptions. I had
to have earned the Rank of Eagle Scout in order to be considered, or even apply
for that matter, including a letter from my last (or current) Scout Master. I
wished I could have found one, but there was no loop hole to be taken. My
choice, not my dad’s, not my Scout Master, not even my fellow scouts (all of whom
could not fathom why I’d stop so close to the finish line), made this choice
for me. And because of this choice, my options for financial aid that was
available to others, was not available to me. Was it fair? Even as I was
reading from the book, I knew it was. This was a direct consequence from a
choice I made. I have to own it. I do own it.
So why do I share this with you? As
a culture, we are backwards. We have the freedom to do anything.
But we also need to realize that there are privileges or consequences to the
choices that we make. Paul puts it this way when he wrote to the Christians of
Corinth, he stated that though everything is permissible, not everything is
beneficial. He stated this twice in one letter, once with regard to being pure
in life, and then with regard to selfish desires and ambitions (1 Corinthians
6.12 and 10.23).
Just as I was not able to apply and
enjoy the scholarships reserved for Eagles, even though I spent my entire youth
in Scouting, so some choices that are made lack, and rightly so, certain privileges
and benefits. Just as today, though we are free to make certain choices, some
of those choices will forfeit certain privileges.
Some of the choices we make may not
just forfeit certain privileges, but even become dire to our own wellbeing. Some
choices we make bring life into the world. Some choices we make could end a
life. Some choices can further a career, while others can stymie it. (Once I
worked out at the Circle K on 95 at Ave 9E, graveyard shift. After several
months, I thought being out there, miles away from town surrounded by farmland
for as far the eye could see, I would ever only be graveyard shift, so I
changed jobs and worked for Texaco next to the Police Station. When I saw my former
boss, Andrew, a week after leaving Circle K, he told me had I talked to him
first, he had already put my name in for an assistant mangers position at the Circle
K store on AZ Ave and 24th, less than a mile away from where I was
living.)
My point is that most of what we go
through in life, the joys and the hardships come from us making choices before we consider the
ramifications. Sometimes we will be
blessed by the choices we make. (Looking back, it was my time with Circle K
that had more positive influences on my walk with Christ than any other secular
job I’ve had since. Fascinating...) Sometimes the choices will lead us where we
may not want to be.
Ah, but then that is the rub.
Rather than taking ownership of our choices, we demand of others to make the
end right, even if it is wrong. And
though likely we, the nation, will legislate morality here, it still comes down
to a choice. Do you own that choice and all the ramifications, the blessings
and privileges as well as the consequences thereof?
