Take me to lunch and you’ll discover very quickly how much I hate to make a decision. Give me the ham and swiss…wait a minute…do you have provolone? Hmmm…maybe I’ll have the roast beef…that is if you have avocado? I think I’d like a diet coke. No. Wait. Give me the sweet tea…hold on…can you make that half-unsweetened and half-sweet?
Seriously. I’m a train wreck when it comes to making a hard and fast choice. Now, imagine when I have those tougher decisions to make: Should I call her? Maybe I should give her some space. Which city should we move to? Should I apply for that job? Is it God’s will for me to write this book? Should I encourage/discourage my son/daughter to do this? Or, should I take my hands off completely?
What about you? Maybe you’re choices are even more difficult right now. Should we walk away from this house? Is it right for me to work while the kids are still so small? Which doctor should we seek for treatment?
Recently, I found peace in God’s word about this very thing: CHOICES.
Tucked away in a very familiar piece of scripture—Psalm 23. Isn’t that how God is? He loves to surprise us with hidden treasures we can hold close to our hearts right when we thought—I already knew that.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness,
for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-3
Did you see where I underlined “paths” back there? He leads me in the paths of righteousness. No matter what choice I make my plans will continue to be molded however God chooses for His kingdom purpose. My free will in the hands of a sovereign God will bear His mark and play out the way He desires.
Isn’t that freeing?
Think about it. When you make a decision about your life—not a sandwich decision, but a decision that has kept you up at night. You know, the type of choice you believe has the strength to change the course of your life—when you lay it at His feet and release your desires in a posture of surrender to His will and His glory—no matter what choice you make it is always the right choice.
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
Author, Jerry Bridges said in his book about God’s sovereignty “Is God Really in Control?”, “We make plans, but those plans can only succeed when they are consistent with God’s purpose. No plan can succeed without Him. “
Is there a decision weighing heavy on your heart today?
Are you struggling with “what to do now”? Don’t let another minute go by without laying this “something” down at the cross. Go to your knees and repent of trying to control your life. Because, that’s what you’re doing. I struggle with this all the time. I believe that there’s a perfect choice for that perfect outcome. But, life isn’t that easy. The right choice is sometimes a muddy path. Still, when we relinquish our plans for His–the right choice becomes whatever He does with yours.
Many people still believe falsely that some things are just too small for the God of all creation to be interested in. I know quite a few who say, “God has more important things to worry about than this.” Scripture can cure that wrong-thinking.
Look at the birds of the air. They neither reap nor sow nor gather into barns. Yet, your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:26
If the Lord orchestrates the most finite details to keep sparrows fed and His creation running smoothly, how much more does He care about His children made in His image?
No detail of our lives is too insignificant for our Heavenly Father’s attention.
No circumstance is so big that He cannot control it. – Jeff Bridges
Stop stewing and chewing over how many ways your choices can play out. All those tiny thoughts have the power to do is to falsely bring your “something” under your control—which blows the door wide open for fear, anxiety and a lack of trust to walk right in and stake claim in your mind and heart.
Wonderful words of comfort, Joanne. I remember many years ago having lunch with a wise, older mentor. He married Billy and I. I asked him about God’s will. I’ll never forget his response. “God’s will is like a moving target.” Discussing it further, I understood it better and believe that no matter the path I choose (even the lesser ones – especially then), God walks with me. He will guide, direct, prompt, correct, as I am faithful to lean into him.
As far as current decisions, well, when am I not making one or two or ten? This is a season of deep trust. So thankful for the nearness of God as we move forward in faith.
Love you.
~elaine