Decisions

 Fears the Lord: Never makes a decision without asking himself, "How will this decision affect my relationship with God?"

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Life is full of them. Some we deem to be more important than others--and they do have a greater impact on our earthly life--but every decision impacts our relationship with Him, and is thus, of utmost importance. When we make a decision that takes us one step away from Him, it can too easily lead us to making a second decision that takes me another step away from the intimacy I need with Him--the source of my joy, the source of my spiritual strength for each step of each day. After all, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

And He is interested in each decision we make. We are His child, and He is our loving Father. We are not some insignificant being wandering our way through history. We are a part of His plan to glorify Himself--to make Him known to the world, known to that place in the world where He has placed us. We matter to Him--and His desire is to lead us down the path saturated with His love for us.

We must first test our decision against the truths and promises of His Word. If my decision violates the teaching of the Word, it is the wrong decision. Then, I must ask in prayer for His guidance. "Ask and you will receive," is a promise not a suggestion. And then we must ask for the wisdom to "see" the answer through the eyes of faith. And then we must ask for the courage to obey and follow His leading. And the most difficult part for me often is to follow the same course He has set me on unless He gives clear direction to go in a different direction. As Spurgeon as said, "If I can't see the hand of God, I must trust the heart of God."

My heart's one desire has to be to never hurt His heart. I must embrace the truth that my decisions are important to Him. I must ask Him for His guidance. I must embrace His answer or "silence" as the path of love He has prepared for me. And then, I must obey with all my heart.