--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: …Or he could choose life. At that pivotal…" description: "\"“…Or he could choose life. At that pivotal moment, it occurred to him that with all his schooling in theology he had, perhaps, missed the entire point ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e64/richard-paul-evans-1002_choose-life_or-he-could-choose-life-at-that-pivotal_3020135.png" --- # …Or he could choose life. At that pivotal moment, it… ![“…Or he could choose life. At that pivotal moment, it occurred to him that with all his schooling in theology he had, perhaps, missed the entire point of his studies, the very crux of the gospel he had professed to believe. That the measure of a person’s heart, the barometer of good or evil, was…” quote by Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e64/richard-paul-evans-1002_choose-life_or-he-could-choose-life-at-that-pivotal_3020135.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e64/richard-paul-evans-1002_choose-life_or-he-could-choose-life-at-that-pivotal_3020135.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e64/richard-paul-evans-1002_choose-life_or-he-could-choose-life-at-that-pivotal_3020135.png) > ““…Or he could choose life. At that pivotal moment, it occurred to him that with all his schooling in theology he had, perhaps, missed the entire point of his studies, the very crux of the gospel he had professed to believe. That the measure of a person’s heart, the barometer of good or evil, was nothing more than the extent of their willingness to choose life over death. That the path of God was, simply, the path of life, abundant and eternal. And this is where he failed, for to choose life is to choose sorrow as well as joy, pain as well as pleasure. When Hunter had buried Rachel, he buried along with her his heart, lest it might heal and feel and grow again. And in so doing he had chosen more than death, he had chosen damnation itself, for damnation is nothing more than to stop a thing in its eternal progression. In that first flight from West Chester he had run not only from the horror and pain of death but from life itself. ”” [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that true moral measure is the willingness to choose life, despite its mix of joy and sorrow, over death or stagnation. **In simple terms:** Choosing life, with its pain and joy, defines a person’s heart. Key Takeaway Embrace life fully, even its hardships. Themes morality choice spirituality Mood reflective somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - grief recovery - personal growth - spiritual awakening - overcoming fear Key Concepts free will existentialism theology Questions to Reflect On - Do you avoid life’s challenges? - How can sorrow become part of a meaningful life? A Different Perspective Choosing life may still entail suffering and difficult sacrifices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choose life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-life/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-itself/) [Path of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-of-life/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [To Jack, there was nothing more powerful than a promise made over a handshake. He would have died ー literally chosen death ー before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/to-jack-there-was-nothing-more-powerful-than-a-promise-made-over-a/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [To die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly. Death freely chosen, death at the right time, brightly and cheerfully accomplished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/to-die-proudly-when-it-is-no-longer-possible-to-live-proudly-death/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I would sooner be holy than happy if the two things could be divorced. Were it possible for a man always to sorrow and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-would-sooner-be-holy-than-happy-if-the-two-things-could-be-divorced/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [If I am feeling joy and sorrow and have to make a choice, I will choose sorrow . The sorrowwill recognize what is good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/if-i-am-feeling-joy-and-sorrow-and-have-to-make-a-choice-i-will/) Mak\_786 > [“Karou wasn't a prize to win; that wasn't why he was here. She was a woman and would choose her own life. 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Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-s-jones/) > [This is the first generation to know that the choices we're making have ultimate consequences. It's a time when you either choose life or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-moore-lapp/this-is-the-first-generation-to-know-that-the-choices-we-re-making/) [Frances Moore Lappé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-moore-lapp/) > [“Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. 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At that pivotal moment, it occurred to him that with all his schooling in theology he had, perhaps, missed the entire point of his studies, the very crux of the gospel he had professed to believe. That the measure of a person’s heart, the barometer of good or evil, was nothing more than the extent of their willingness to choose life over death. That the path of God was, simply, the path of life, abundant and eternal. And this is where he failed, for to choose life is to choose sorrow as well as joy, pain as well as pleasure. When Hunter had buried Rachel, he buried along with her his heart, lest it might heal and feel and grow again. And in so doing he had chosen more than death, he had chosen damnation itself, for damnation is nothing more than to stop a thing in its eternal progression. 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