在1890年，從歐洲移居美國的業餘鳥類學家尤金．席費林（Eugene Schieffelin），選擇在紐約中央公園釋放60隻歐洲椋鳥。當時可能也有其他人多次引進這個物種，但根據文獻記載，席費林釋放的這種椋鳥是首批成功築巢繁衍的歐洲椋鳥。現今，約有8,500萬隻椋鳥在美國大陸上空飛翔。但很不幸，椋鳥是入侵性物種，牠們造成當地鳥類的數量減少，讓牛群感染疾病，並估計每年造成8億美元的損失。席費林絕對想不到，他的選擇會造成如此嚴重的後果。

每個選擇都可能會帶來嚴重的後果。雖然亞當夏娃得到警告，但卻無法預見他們的選擇會給萬物帶來災難性的後果。上帝告訴他們：「園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意吃」（創世記2章16節），除了「園當中那棵樹上的果子」（3章3節）。但狡詐的蛇欺騙他們，夏娃「就摘下果子來吃了」（6節），而亞當也跟着做了同樣的選擇，吃了上帝禁止他們吃的果子。就因為這麼一個選擇，造成難以估算的破壞和毀滅，帶來巨大的傷痛。

每當我們無視上帝的智慧而選擇另一條路時，就是自討苦吃。我們的選擇可能看似無關緊要，或只是關於自己，但我們淺薄的見識或一時的慾望，很容易將我們引入險境。相反地，選擇上帝的道路，能引領我們走向生命與豐盛。

In 1890, amateur ornithologist Eugene Schieffelin decided to release sixty European starlings into New York City’s Central Park. While there were likely several introductions of the species, Schieffelin’s released starlings resulted in the first successful, documented nesting. Now there are roughly eighty-five million of the birds flapping across the continent. Unfortunately, starlings are invasive, pushing out native bird populations, spreading disease to cattle, and causing an estimated $800 million annually in damage. Schieffelin couldn’t have imagined the damage his choice would cause.

Choices can have massive consequences. Though warned, Adam and Eve couldn’t have envisioned the disastrous ramifications of their choice on all creation. God had told them they were “free to eat from any tree in the garden” (Genesis 2:16), save one, the tree in “the middle of the garden” (3:3). But deceived by that wily serpent, “[Eve] took some and ate it” (v. 6). Then Adam followed, also choosing to eat the fruit God forbade. So much destruction, heartbreak, and ruin because of one choice.

Every time we ignore God’s wisdom and choose another path, we invite calamity. It may seem that our choice is insignificant or only affects us; however, our narrow understanding or fleeting desires can easily lead us into a world of trouble. Choosing God’s way, though, leads us to life and flourishing.