Growing Faith

We Are Always Faced With Choices

Destinations depend on the decisions we must make.

BY JULIET BROMME

Life is a result of all the choices you make.” That’s something my mom said while we were talking on the phone one day. She continued speaking for a few moments, then stopped. “Hey, that was pretty good advice, wasn’t it?” Of course, I agreed. It was good advice.

Right now I have to make a lot of choices. I have one more year of college. Knowing I need to figure out where I want to live and work in 365 days makes that amount of time feel a lot shorter than it is. My mom’s comment is in the back of my mind as I realize that now is the time I will make some of the most important choices of my life.

There are a lot of people in the Bible who were faced with big decisions. Learning about Bible characters helps us learn about ourselves.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible takes place within only four verses. Jesus is hanging on the cross, surrounded by soldiers and other onlookers who are there primarily just to see Him, despite the two criminals hanging by His side. One of the men on a nearby cross makes fun of Jesus for not saving Himself and them. But the other says, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41, NIV). Then he turns to speak with Jesus and says, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (verse 42, NIV).

In this story two men have a lot in common. They made some bad choices because those had caused them both to be crucified. At the end of their life they were still faced with a choice. One turned to mockery, while the other asked for mercy.

When we are faced with decisions, there are always ways we can react. Sometimes it’s easier to follow what everyone else is doing, even if it isn’t right. But making the right choice can have positive results.

Our choices always take us somewhere. I’m not sure how much the thief knew about Jesus before he dedicated his life to Him. Maybe he knew of Him from what others had said; maybe he had seen Him throughout the streets; or maybe he had attended an event at which Jesus was speaking or preaching. But it’s possible he didn’t know much about Him at all. Either way, he realized that where Jesus was, he wanted to be also. He decided that Jesus was the right choice.

The story ends as Jesus answers him, “Truly I tell you, . . . you will be with me in paradise” (verse 43, NIV). I’m sure when Jesus looked him in the eye and promised him a place in Paradise, he knew he had made the right choice.

We are always faced with choices, and many of them affect us for the rest of our lives. But when I think about the decisions I have to make, I realize that as long as I am sure of my ultimate destination, all the other things I face will be small in comparison.

Juliet Bromme is a senior communication major at Union College and was a summer intern at Adventist World in 2021.

Wedding

GREEN—BIANCO. Gregory Ian Green, son of Kenneth and Glenice Green (Mackay, Qld), and Lauren Natalie Bianco, daughter of Tony and Tracy Bianco (Curramore), were married on 4.7.21 at The Community Centre, Maleny. Greg and Lauren met as a result of a blind date arranged primarily by Greg’s sister and it turned out to be love at first sight. The romance blossomed, culminating in a small but meaningful wedding, made necessary by COVID-19 in a lovely country setting, with the view to having a bigger celebration when conditions permit. The lovely couple plan to set up their home in Palmwoods.

Laurie Evans

Obituaries

FOX, Wilma Frances (nee Stevens), born 11.2.1930 in Wahroonga, NSW; died 5.7.21 in Caloundra Adventist Retirement Village, Qld. On 28.6.1954 she married Bill. Wilma was predeceased by her husband in 2008. She was also predeceased by her stepdaughter, Olive in 1976; stepson, Ben in 2010; son, Ken in 2013; and stepdaughter, Diana in 2021. She is survived by daughters, Pamela, Lynette, Kay, Sally, Sandra and Karen (all of Brisbane); and sons, Bill (Maryborough); Ray (Yeppoon), Garry (Brisbane), Leon (Cairns); and Clint (Brisbane). Wilma was raised an Adventist. She was re-baptised in 1975, becoming a literature evangelist, winning many souls for Christ. Scott Wareham

LAMBERT, Peter Geoffery, born 11.11.1933 in Brisbane, Qld; died 20.7.21 in St Vincent’s Care Facility, Mitchelton, Brisbane. On 24.12.1953 he married Melva Dawson, who predeceased him in 2018. Peter is survived by his children, Tony (Perth, WA), Kym Duffield (Brisbane, Qld) and Lisa Boge (Brisbane). After losing his beloved wife, his zest for life dimmed but he remained a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Peter had a deep faith, a great sense of humour and immense pride in his family. A builder by profession, he worked tirelessly for many years at Brisbane Central Church to keep it well maintained. David McKibben

ROSS, Merlene May, born 6.5.1944 in Kyogle, NSW; died 10.7.21 in Caloundra, Qld. Merlene was formerly married to Eugene Webster. She is survived by her children, Susan and Steven Muir (Cooran), Julie and Robert Driscoll (Caloundra), Laurance and Kimberly Webster (Brisbane), Rosalie and Roy Wells (Brisbane) and Tasha (Logan); 26 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Merlene was a powerhouse but a quiet achiever, fostering many children. She was a helper to all. She loved her Lord and lived her life for Him. She attended Kyogle, Beaudesert, Kingaroy and Cooroy churches over her rich life. John Rabbas

SHEEHAN, Shirley Margaret Joyce (nee Wells), born 23.7.1930 in Inverell, NSW; died 8.7.21 in the McLean Nursing Home, Inverell. On 24.11.1951 she married John, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her grandson, Nathan Simpson. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Kim and Kerry Simpson (Inverell); son, Tom and Trudy (Inverell); eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Shirley was a loving and lovable Christian lady. She loved her family and her Jesus supremely. She was involved in different areas of the Inverell church almost all her married life. Her confidence and trust in her Heavenly Father was strong to the end. John Lang, Luke Reeves

TOEPFER, Cecil Herbert, born 8.4.1930 in Cooranbong, NSW; died 22.6.21 in Cooranbong. In 1951 he married Elaine (nee Hunt), who ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, DIVISION SECRETARIAT WAHROONGA, NSW The South Pacific Division (SPD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is seeking a highly capable and versatile administrative assistant who is committed to furthering God’s mission and eager to support the work of our secretariat team. This full-time role based at the Division office in Wahroonga, NSW will be the first point of contact for Division secretariat. For selection criteria please visit the Division’s Adventist Employment website at <adventistemployment.org.au>. To apply, please email a cover letter addressing the selection criteria, your CV, three work-related referees and the contact details of your Adventist church pastor to <hr@adventist.org.au>. The appointing body reserves the right to fill this position at its discretion and close applications early. Only those who have the legal right to work in Australia will be considered. Applications close October 24, 2021.

predeceased him on 9.9.20. He is survived by his daughter, Narelle and Pastor Greg Brothers (Astoria, Oregon, USA); two granddaughters, Cecelia Brothers (College Place, Washington) and Rebecca Brothers (Huntsville, Alabama). Cecil’s entire 41-year career was printing management employment with Sanitarium Health Food Company in NZ and Australia. He was recognised as an excellent printer and assisted many of his staff in completing their printing apprenticeships. Cecil was a fine Christian gentleman who volunteered much time to the church and community.

Roger Nixon

Position vacant

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