Decision Making vs Decision Discerning

Decision Making vs Decision Discerning

Father God, thank you for showing me that I am not a decision maker. I am to be a Decision Discerner. You are the head of me. In you I have all that I need to discern what your will is for every aspect of my life. Help me listen clearly to your gentle whisper, that is so hard to hear when I am “busy” making decisions. Help me to sit at your feet and listen, not just in my daily quiet time with you, but throughout the day, all day, every day, day in and day out.

Teach me how to discern in each moment what is from you and what is not. Give me the wisdom to discern the best from the good, the eternal from the temporal. Instruct me to walk in your ways, for you are my God, my refuge, and my fortress. You know the plans you have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). So, let me trust in your wisdom, your love, and your purpose for my life.

Father, we are reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, which 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.” Guide me to lean into your understanding and not rely solely on my own. In this world that is full of noise and haste, remind me to still my heart and submit all my ways to you. It’s not about creating my path but about following the one you’ve set before me.

As we turn our gaze to Jesus, we see the perfect example of a Decision Discerner. When faced with the most significant decision of all, to lay down His life for humanity, He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus sought to discern and follow the Father’s will, even when it was incredibly challenging.

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul teaches us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We are encouraged to seek God’s will in all situations and reminded that His peace will guard our hearts and minds as we make decisions in alignment with His will.

It’s crucial to remember that this discernment is not a once-and-done event. It is an ongoing conversation, a continuous engagement with our heavenly Father. So, we need to make a deliberate effort to include God in our everyday life. Not just when we’re facing a big decision, but in the seemingly insignificant moments too. After all, our God is in the details.

May we be reminded that being a Decision Discerner is not about getting it right all the time. We will make mistakes, we will falter, but our God is merciful and gracious. He understands our human frailty and meets us where we are. And when we fall short, He extends grace and offers forgiveness, giving us the courage to try again.

So let us remember to approach our decisions not with anxiety, but with trust and surrender. Let us be Decision Discerners, learning to listen to His voice, to seek His will and to follow His guidance in every aspect of our lives. In the end, we will see that His plans are better than anything we could ever imagine. He is faithful, and His promises are true.

And so, we pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Lord, guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are God our Savior, and our hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:5). Amen.

Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M
6 June 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 (Spanish is coming soon). If you ever want to chat, reach out at Daniel@SOLIDpastors.org. My Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily Conversations with God.