Sticks intro sampler - Flipbook - Page 20
INTRODUCTION
TH E S TI CK S S TO RY LI N E
Other than God and people, the Bible mentions trees more than any other
living thing. There is a tree on the first page of Genesis, in the first psalm,
on the first page of the New Testament, and on the last page of Revelation.
Every significant theological event in the Bible is marked by a tree.1
M at t h e w S l e e t h ,
r e f o r e s t i n g fa i t h : w h at t r e e s t e a c h u s
a b o u t t h e n at u r e o f g o d a n d h i s lov e f o r u s
ADULTHOOD IS OVERGROWN with a matrix of decision making.
Whether it’s whom to date, whether to get married, which job to take, which
school to send your kids to, or where to live, our decision trees branch out in
several directions simultaneously. If I had to guess, I’d bet you’re in the middle
of making some major life decisions right now. You’re not alone—I’m right there
with you.
Sometimes the decision tree is overwhelming, with too many options to
choose from. Other times, there’s an obvious choice, but it requires more effort
than I want to give. In these moments of decision fatigue, I want to reach for
the low-hanging fruit of autonomy and just do what’s easiest––things that seem
right in my own eyes.
I don’t know about you, but when crucial choices are too daunting or uncertain,
I freeze. Meanwhile, new choices just keep popping up in life. It’s never-ending.
1
