When I was growing up, we played a game called “Spin the Bottle”. I only played a few times in a safe environment, like church group or riding club. Still this game made my stomach twist and my muscles tense. If you are unfamiliar, a group of participants sits in a circle, a glass pop bottle is set in the middle, someone spins the bottle, the person to which the bottle points as it comes to rest chooses whether to tell an unknown truth or take a dare.

When I played spin the bottle, I was responsible for putting myself into that position. It made me uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to say “no” to the group. So I rationalized that it was harmless and nothing bad would really happen. The other side of the coin was that my response could involve someone else. I could have declined the invitation, but in these few cases I did not.

Many times a day we weigh decisions. What is the probability that the outcome will be bad? What is the probability that everything will go well? We don’t even actually consider most decisions in this conscious manner. In truth, most, if not all, of our decisions affect or influence other people.

My point is that we get to choose how we react to situations. We choose situations that we put ourselves. All of those choices come to bare on other people. We exist in a connected way beyond our consciousness at times.

We need to be honest with ourselves about the people and places that we choose. Lots of times we make good choices that bring glory and honor to Our Father. Then there are times that we chose things that we know, if we are honest, are going to fail to glorify Him.

Just a few passages to remember:

“One who walks with wise people will be wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. Adversity pursues sinners, but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. ” Proverbs 13:20-21

“Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,” Psalms 1:1

“A prudent person sees evil and hides himself, but the naive proceed, and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 22:3

“Do not make friends with a person given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered person, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.” Proverbs 22:24

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9