Decisions

I've been involved lately with a very important decision. One that will have long term affects on my time, my family, my ministry but probably most significantly on me! When faced with an important decision I have noticed that I have changed over time. I think the change is for the better but what do you think?
How have I changed? Well, I think that I used to just make a decision, go for it and let the chips fall where they may. This worked sometimes but most times it caused significant stress on all those who were trying to work with me or walk with me through different circumstances. I believe I have been called a "bull in a China shop" to often when it came to my almost reckless approach to decision making. I also remember praying more for everybody who might be affected by my decision to "get along" with it and "move along" with it. Fairly selfish I suppose.
Over time, and I believe it is from maturing in my faith; I have taken a very different approach to making decisions. I think I try to see them from every possible angle, deciding who will be affected most, what that affect will be, how will I communicate the decisions being made. I also have noticed that I talk to more people, inviting them to participate with the process in coming to some sort of conclusion. The focus of my prayers is more on searching His heart and mind so that I do not bring disgrace to his glorious name. I think I focus less on what the outcomes will be and focus more on trusting God and trusting his work in me over time to enable me to make wise, spirit-directed decisions. The journey is as important as the decision.


Recently someone I know was having a very difficult time trying to make a decision. It was during this process that I noticed how important motivations are in making decisions. If your motivations are split then it seems that making the choice and sticking with it is also split. Can I trust myself, can I trust the advice of others, can I trust that I won’t make a decision I will regret later on? Not wanting to make a mistake can really hold us back from moving forward. It almost freezes us. Prayer seems more focused on one word, “help”!

Have you ever sat down and figured out just how you go about making decisions? Do you make them and then change them often? Do you make them and not change them no matter how horrible they may be? Where does God fit into this process?


God is Good All the Time!