DECISION MAKING – PART 1 OF 3
I just found myself about to make another big decision, without consulting Christ. This is a really bad habit that I have. We could also call it a character defect. I am accustomed to running my own life, and not living in full surrender to Christ. It takes very little time to consult Christ about decisions, but there are a few reasons that I don’t always do it:
1. Habitual: I forget to ask Christ about my decisions; I am not in the habit of asking.
2. Self-will Driven: I don’t really want to hear “no” or “not yet” or “wait.”
3. Freedom Abusing: I am not sure Christ really cares about my decisions because they are moral, ethical decisions, and I believe Christ gives me total freedom to do what I want.
Now, to be fair to myself, I have made huge progress in this area over the past seven years, ever since I began to have a consistent daily time of conversational prayer with Christ. But, there is plenty of room in which I still need to grow.
As I wrote about this topic today, I came to the conclusion that this should be a three-part series, and did ask permission of Christ to do that, for the record. So, here is Part One.
HABITUAL DECISION-MAKING
If I get into the habit of running most decisions past Christ, it is an indicator that I am living a fully surrendered life to Christ. Buddy Westbrook, author of “Come Talk With Me”, is mentoring me weekly and helping me habitually run all decisions past Christ. Even the little ones.
Today, I was talking to someone about a purchase I want to make. I don’t “need” the thing I was going to buy, but I “want” to buy it. I can give you a lot of great reasons as to “why” I “should” buy it. But as I was in the middle of the hot pursuit to do “buy”, it flashed in my mind: “Why don’t you ask the Holy Spirit what He thinks about it?” I have not “asked” yet. Instead, I am writing about it to you. But I promise I will ask Christ, and I think I know what I am going to hear, but I am not sure. My intuition tells me that Christ is going to slow me down, or perhaps even say no. And, I also plan on asking my wife! (I am learning that Christ can often speak to us through our spouses.)
I can imagine the Conversational Prayer with Christ. It could go something like this: “My child, you already have one of these things; why do you need another one?” And my reply: “Lord, I want another one. I know I don’t ’need’ another one. But I have the money, so I want to buy it.” Then, I can almost hear the Lord say: “Whose money is it that you are going to spend?” And my reply: “Yes. You are right. It is not ‘my’ money – it is yours.” And then the Lord will likely say: “If it is my money, shouldn’t you ask me permission to spend it?”
Do you get the idea? A truly surrendered life means that we are are HABITUAL in our way of decision-making, and we habitually turn to Christ BEFORE we make all decisions. Even the little ones!
Here is a silly but profound example of a “little” decision:
I am at the dinner table, eating. I ask my cook for “seconds.” That is an un-surrendered decision. How much better if I whisper a little prayer to Christ: “Lord, should I ask for a second portion? I know what I might hear: “Child, do you ’need’ a second portion?” And then my reply: “No Lord. I just like the taste and I ‘want’ more.” The ensuing dialogue will likely end with my not asking for more. After all, I am trying to lose weight. Ugh.
SELF-WILL DRIVEN
I will write on this tomorrow.
FREEDOM-ABUSING
I will write on this the day after tomorrow.
CONCLUSION
In our decision-making, it is imperative to remember the wisdom found in the Scriptures. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This reminds us that we should always seek God’s guidance, even in the smallest decisions. James 4:13-15 is another great scripture: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” This emphasizes our need to align our will with God’s, acknowledging that His plans supersede our own. Lastly, in 1 Corinthians 10:31, we’re reminded, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This calls us to an attitude of stewardship and gratitude, reminding us to consider God’s glory in all we do. In conclusion, let’s habitually, and in all humility, seek God’s direction, remembering that our freedom in Christ is not an excuse for self-centeredness, but an opportunity to bring glory to Him in every decision we make.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
17 July 2023
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent conversation with God blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at Daniel@SOLIDpastors.org. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily Conversations with Christ.
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