Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"The Lesser of Two Evils"
Jul. 30, 2018
(Joseph said) "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
~ Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
There are times when it seems like no choice we can make will be a good one, and we must simply opt for the "lesser of two evils."
That was the way it was for Walter Carr, an Alabama student, who was scheduled to begin a training program for his first job. He was ready and eager to go, but his car was not. The night before he was to start his new job, that car breathed its last, which left Carr with some options.
1. He could call and say, "I'm not going to make it to work today. Can I begin on another, later day?
2. He could do nothing because, obviously, he wasn't destined to begin work at the Bellhops moving company.
3. He could try to find somebody who would drive him to his new job which was 20 miles away.
With no really good options, Carr opted for option 4.
4. This option said Carr would walk the 20 miles to his workplace.
True, he would have to begin at midnight and walk all through the night, but at least he would show to his new boss that the job was important.
And so it was, Carr began his 20-mile walk. He began it, but he didn't finish it. You see, somewhere around 4 a.m. the police spotted him, stopped him, questioned him, and were intrigued.
The cops took Carr to breakfast, and then at 6:30 a.m., they delivered him to the Lameys. The Lameys were the people Carr was supposed to help move. The policemen explained Carr's story to the Lameys who were impressed by Carr's desire-to-work ethic.
The Lameys put his story on Facebook.
Carr's story went viral and eventually it reached Luke Marklin, the CEO of the Bellhops moving organization. Mr. Marklin was so impressed with his new employee he drove from Tennessee to Alabama to meet Carr, take him to breakfast, and thank him. At the end of the meeting, Marklin gave Carr his 2014 Ford. So, maybe Carr's choices weren't so bad after all.
So, what can we learn from Carr's story.
Might I suggest that when it seems we have to choose the lesser of two evils what we really need do is be turned to the Lord. Rather than picking a second-rate lesser-of-two evils, Joseph regularly turned to the Lord for guidance. Many other Bible heroes had their finest hours when they were turned to the Lord.
When you are turned to our loving, saving Lord, you just may find that our Lord is "faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13b). In short, we will find God's way is infinitely better than our way or the lesser of two evils.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, most of us have encountered times when it seemed like there were no right choices, no proper procedures. Grant that we will never give in to despair. Instead, may the Holy Spirit turn us to the Lord who can turn evil into good. In the Name of the Savior who has saved us from hell, I pray. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Elle Nicholson for America upbeat on July 18, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://americanupbeat.com/college-student-walked-20-miles-to-first-day-of-work-so-his-boss-did-this/
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
There are times when it seems like no choice we can make will be a good one.
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