Everyday, we are faced with tons of choices and decisions that we have to make. It’s safe to say that in this day and age, we are presented with all the more options there are than the previous generations. Some may not have eternal consequences but we believe that most of our decisions do have a long-term impact. Below is a reflection of Howell on this very important aspect of our lives–decision making.
When I look around, sometimes I see “wrong” decisions being made here and there. And then I ask myself the question, is it really the right decision? or am I just thinking that I know better? or perhaps, am I just too old school not to appreciate the so-called innovation or better approach to that certain situation? And I have to ask myself back, am I also making the right decisions?
Psalm 25:4 reads “Show me the right path, O Lord, point out the road for me to follow…” and then on v8, the psalmist acknowledges, “the Lord is good and does what is right, he shows the proper path to those who go astray, he leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.”
As I reflect on this, I realized that a decision, whether it is a matter that involves relationship, career, goals in life, a business decision perhaps, or even the simple day-to-day decision, should always be laid out before God knowing that he knows best.
I remember the time when my wife and I discerned for leaving the Philippines and working in New Zealand. Sure, it was an easy call for me, career-wise, the prospect of a life in a first world country, financial benefits, etc., really a no-brainer decision. But what I found out during those times, was that my wife was struggling to settle her heart regarding the matter. Being one in a marriage, we sought God’s guidance, as well as asking our pastoral leaders in our prayer group to facilitate a discernment process to guide us through. I really had to prepare myself to accept that NZ may not be for us and we may have to settle and plant our family in the Philippines. Looking back, I would not have forced my wife to come to NZ without both of us knowing that we are certain that it was God’s call and practically speaking, I know it would only be difficult to live the rest of our lives had it been only MY decision.
A reminder from 1 Corinthians 7 says that our time is very short and that “those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away”. In connection to decision-making, I believe that this is an instruction to not be attached to the things that we are deciding for. If we seek God’s guidance, it will be difficult to follow him specially if the resulting decision was to go opposite our preference. It would certainly be painful. I know it was difficult for my wife to go to NZ as she was leaving her family among other things, and I do really honor her for still following God’s call of uprooting herself from her good career and vibrant community of believers and friends and deciding to start anew in a foreign country… all because God has called her to do so.
Finally, in Mark 1, God said to the first disciples, “Come follow me, I will show you how to fish people”. The operative word is, “Come and follow”. It is really not about learning how to “fish people” and then “come and follow me”. Same thing was said in v30, “He called them, and they also followed him, leaving their father in the boat”. Follow God and surely, he will equip us to face the decision we have to make, let us not be attached to whatever things that we are deciding for and pray for God’s guidance always. Because in the end, we can be assured that “God’s will is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
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