If I could impart one small bit of wisdom to my young adult and teenage friends, it would be this: Recognize the watershed moments in your life and act accordingly: with caution, strength, and integrity.

What is a watershed moment, you say?

A watershed is a ridge of land that divides a flowing river or stream of water into two separate bodies of water. In life? It is a critical turning point in time where nothing will ever be the same as before.

In every life there are watershed moments—moments where one must make a choice that will effect his or her future—a future that will be lived either with a clear conscience or with a heart filled with regret. And make no mistake, regret can be a desperately cruel load to carry, piling up like so much rotten garbage, assaulting your senses time and time again as life marches on..

And of course, satan, the father of lies, is only too happy to fan the flames of regret, whispering to us our unworthiness and reminding us of our mistakes—assuring us we are incapable of living a life pleasing to God.

Therefore, it’s important when making a decision that will alter your life or the life of another, to stop and think about the consequences. It only takes a moment. Are you adding to your life’s trash pile of regret? Or are you proceeding forward with a clear conscience before God.

You see, poor decisions are often made when we are acting in a self-centered manner, or when we are being controlling, unyielding, fearful, lazy or rebellious—those times when we find ourselves distant from God.

Oh, of course, no one will get everything right. I certainly haven’t. That is why this issue is so important to me. But if we would pause and think about the future repercussions of our choices—the refuse that we are inadvertently piling up—we could avoid much heartache, pain, and guilt in our own lives, as well as, the lives of others affected by our choices.

If I could tell you anything, it would be to do the hard thing. Take the narrow road. Face your fears. Be brave. Stand alone. Submit to authority. In other words, when faced with a life-altering decision, do what is pleasing in the sight of God.

You will not regret it.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)