Jake's Choice

Jake Spoon was a character in the movie “Lonesome Dove.” When confronted with the theft of horses, Jake had to make a decision. Froglip, an outlaw in the movie, asked Jake, “ Are you coming?” Jake replied, “ I guess if you just watch me, you’ll find out.” Jake's decision was not so much one of words but of actions. He proceeded to stay with the group of horse thieves and as such became one. Later, when Deets, a longtime acquaintance of Jake, proclaimed that Jake was with them, Call, Jake’s old ranger partner, said that maybe it was just his horse that had been stolen. Deets said, “ No, I know the mark that Jake’s horse makes with him riding it.” Jake’s mark was readily identified when seen by those who knew him best.

We have times in our life when we must make decisions, too. As Christians, those decisions are illuminated by the word of God. We are known not so much by our words but by our actions. The mark we leave will identify us as either being followers of that word or followers of our own desires and will be seen by all and judged by the one who knows us best.
James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Reading the word of God and seeing Him through His only son, Jesus, is the way to know how to make decisions. The mark we make in our lifetime must reflect Jesus and the love that he had and demonstrated. Our identity is found in his words and not in mine or anyone else's. The mark we make will identify us as followers of Jesus or followers of others and will be plainly seen.

When the judgment comes, as in Matthew 25, what will be the mark of your passing through this world?


Don Campbell