Decisions, decisions. It seems that every day of our lives we are inundated with having to make up our mind regarding some topic or another. Add to that a 24-hour news cycle that continually bombards you with "interesting" opinions and you have a recipe for a cornucopia of confusion. 
For some, decision-making is a methodical exercise comprised of obtaining as much information regarding the topic as possible, studying that information, allowing that study to permeate the neurons of your brain, and then poof! There's the decision. No turning back.
For others, decision-making is more simplistic. "I have choice A or B. Let's go with A." That's it. No contemplating, no considerating, no more than "yup, let's go with that one". No turning back.
And even others make decisions very well on the fly. Impulsively, they decide for something and against something else. For example, I went into the record store and saw a used copy of The Lovin' Spoonful's Do You Believe in Magic. Had to have it then. I decided for the record and against saving the money for something else. Decision made instantaneously. No turning back.
Then there are those who are a frustrating lot. They will not make a decision. Regardless of the information overload, no impulsiveness, no simplicity. The just stew and stew and..."What do you think I should do?" They are ALWAYS turning back... Makes one want to ask them..."Did you EVER have to make up your mind?"...
This #2 smash was the 2nd release from The Lovin' Spoonful's debut album. It followed the title track, "Do You Believe In Magic?" which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" was received well by the music critics of the time with its essence of the folk/pop styles that were growing in popularity in the mid to late 60s. Its easy-going melody accentuates the emotion expressed in a story which many find themselves at times, picking between two potential loves. "...It's not always easy, it's not always kind..."
"Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" would join "Do You Believe in Magic?" as the beginning of 5 top 10 offerings by the band from the studio albums they recorded between 1965-1969.
The Lovin' Spoonful has remained so popular that they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. And even as late as February of 2020, 3 of the original members (John Sebastian, Steve Boone, and Joe Butler) performed a benefit concert for the Autism Think Tank. The band still performs in concert, only Boon and Butler, however, continue as consistent touring members under the band's moniker.
After leaving The Lovin' Spoonful, John Sebastion would make a moderate come back in 1976, with "Welcome Back", the theme song to the television show, Welcome Back Kotter. Go ahead...sing it..."welcome back, welcome back, welcome back..."
The theme would soar all the way to #1 and renew interest in Sebastian and everything that The Lovin' Spoonful had released previously. One would imagine that John Sebastian made up his mind quickly about the release of the single "Welcome Back".
Our story begins today with locusts and not just one kind of locust. Here comes Joel the prophet, with HIS particular brand of the message of doom for Judah. Joel was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah and was probably carried off to exile in Babylon with all the rest of the nation. The locusts that start off his 3 short chapters represented the Babylonians as they gnawed, swarmed, crept, and stripped Judah of its homeland and carried them off to be subservient for the next 70 years. (As we have mentioned before, this is about the amount of time for 1 generation of folks to pass, or some folks to make ANY kind of decision...you know who you are!!!) These were images that the Judahites would have been familiar with as they had battled locusts (of one form or another) on a pretty consistent basis. It is vivid imagery that immediately attracts the attention of the reader. Entomologists rejoice!!!
gnawing locust
creeping locust
stripping locust
These images were provided just so you have an idea of what Joel was talking about and what the Israelites experienced. Oh, and yes, these are the creatures the Bible tells us that John the Baptist (you guessed it, more about him in the future!!!) made a steady diet of while he was preaching in the wilderness...the wild honey had to help the taste, but the texture...crunch, crunch...taste like chicken...
After his illustrative description of Babylon's conquest, Joel continues his prophecy with continued warnings and recommendations for the posture in which the Judahites should take during the coming onslaught. This involves being hungry because of the drought and wearing sackcloth and ashes as a sign of mourning and contrition. So we find the Judahites starving and wearing some of the scratchiest material ever invented by mankind all the while having dirty, dusty, sooty, hair.
Joel piles on more as he describes in very vivid language how the Babylonians will swoop down. Images of mighty warriors like lions and the aforementioned locusts are scattered through Joel's discourse. To make matters worse it seems the Lord Himself is blessing the Babylonians as they secure the demise that Judah had already witnessed with Israel (the Northern Kingdom) some 20 years prior.
The remainder of chapter 2 relays the message that it is not too late to turn from the ways of the wickedness which they had perpetrated against God for so long. "Yet even now, declares the Lord..." begins verse 12 as Joel tells them to turn from their ways and see what God's response will be. Joel 2:14-32 NASB/AMP/KJV detail this response as He shows the nation just who He is and how He operates. Joel even tells of the coming of Holy Spirit during Jesus' time, providing hope that all will not be lost forever and that their coming Messiah will bring about peace..."my deliverer is coming, my delivered is standing by..." thanks Rich Mullins!!!
But did you catch that decision-making time in verse 32? "...And it will come about that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Will be saved;..." Yes, this is a promise that Joel gave as the response to the sun being turned to darkness and moon to blood when the great day of the Lord comes. Think about this though friend, you don't have to wait to call on the name of the Lord and be saved. You can do that before Joel's "great day of the Lord" prophecies come to fruition. In fact, you could do it right now.
Joel later describes multitudes found in a place called the valley of decision. "...Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (3:14) Perhaps this is a place in which you can relate. If you find yourself in a valley of decision, you just have to make up your mind and realize that God is waiting for you.
In this valley of decision you have to realize that no one is good enough on their own to restore their broken relationship with God.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." The Apostle Paul's letter to the Christian church in Rome, chapter 3, verse 23 NASB/AMP/KJV
and
"There is no one righteous, not even one..." Romans 3:10 NASB/AMP/KJV
In this valley of decision, you must realize that because of this separation, we deserve to die and be separated from God forever...
"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned..." Romans 5:12 NASB/AMP/KJV
In this valley of decision, you must realize that God in His mercy and grace, provided a way for our separation from Him to end...
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us..." Romans 5:8 NASB/AMP/KJV
In this valley of decision, you must realize that God's provision is a gift you can choose...
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord..." Romans 6:23 NASB/AMP/KJV
In this valley of decision, you must realize that salvation from sin, resolving the broken relationship, and spending eternity in God's presence is a point of great joy, celebration, and proclamation...
"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 NASB/AMP/KJV
So, friend you see, everyone has to make up their mind about what they will do with the person of Jesus. Don't wait until the day of the Lord to come out of your valley of decision...
Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one (God) and leave the other (yourself) behind
It's not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one (God) and leave the other (yourself) behind
It's not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?
'Til Tuesday
Loving HIM by loving You,
randy
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