When Life Asks for a Decision

Busy.  Going.  Rockin’.  Stressed.  Demands.  Choices.  Decisions.  

Any of these words sound like your life?  (I saw one of you smile as you said rockin’.)  Got a lot on your plate?  Are you looking ahead at some tough choices?  We are constantly making decisions, ranging from what to drink at Starbucks, to what we need to say, to how to plan our future.  On top of that, many of you are responsible for making decisions for others, like your children or your aging parents.  With so much coming at us, it can be crazy-hard to have true clarity in our lives.

What decisions are in front of you today?  What are you tackling?

• “How do I handle our back-to-school schedule?”  
• “Should I take this job?”
• “How am I going to pay for this?” 
• “How do I love my spouse in the midst of ________.”
• “Which way do I go?”
• ______________ (you fill in the blank)

Take time today to read this promise, found in the book of Proverbs.  There’s a good chance you’ve read it before, but today look at it with fresh eyes.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Girlfriends, I’m going to bottom-line this for us right up front:  

It is not my responsibility to make my path straight.  It’s God’s.

Did you catch that?  The burden of a straight path is on Him, not me.  HE will make my path straight.   My God is going out ahead of me, clearing the way.

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”   Deut. 31:8

I will make them walk by streams of waters,
On a straight path in which they will not stumble.  Jeremiah 31:9

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Phil. 1:6

We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Eph. 8:28

He creates a good work in me, He shows me which path take, stays with me and carries it on to the finish, then wraps it up and causes it all to work together for good.  Does that bring rest to anyone else?

God is on the move sister, working on your behalf!  However, lest we think we are without responsibility, He does ask this of us:  

1. Trust Him.  Trust Him with every fiber of your being.  Trust that even though it’s tough, He has got this.  Trust that He is at work.  Trust that He is in fact…GOD.
2. Reject the lie which says “I don’t need His input”.  How are you approaching your decision?  Are you asking for God’s wisdom or marching ahead in your own strength and understanding? 
3. Acknowledge the Lord.  Even though your decision may be difficult or even painful, acknowledge the Lord in the thick of it all.  But how?

• Acknowledge God in your prayers to Him.  “Lord, I know you are with me.  Thank you for holding me in the shadow of your wing in the midst of all this.”  (Psalm 63:7-8)
• Acknowledge God in your conversations with others.  “Yes, this is hard, but I know the Lord is working and leading me, even though I cannot see it.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Wherever you are at today, whatever stage of life you’re in, trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Do not lean on your own understanding.  In everything today acknowledge Him.  

And He will make your path straight.

Lord, I thank you that even though I cannot see the path ahead of me, You can.  You go ahead of me and make it straight.  I thank you that I can place every decision in Your hands because You are faithful and trustworthy.  Give me Your wisdom today, and let me glorify You in all that I do and say.  I praise You for Your unfailing love and care for me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.