For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
(ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
We, often, have difficult decisions to make. The higher the stake, the more difficult the decision becomes.
For example, when we have little to lose, we can make decisions on a whim. Since the outcome has minimal effect on us, it matters little if our decision is right or wrong. However, what if our decision will have greater consequences? What if this is literally, or figuratively, a "life and death" decision? When we get it right, there can be great reward, and when we get it wrong, the results can be devastating. Certainly, we want to get it right.
But, then, faith enters the picture and throws the proverbial monkey wrench into the process. Faith requires that we ask the question, "Am I seeking what is best for me, or what gives glory to the Lord God?"
Too often, we want to seek what is best for us, but the Lord states in Isaiah 55 that our thoughts are not God's thoughts, nor are our ways His ways. In the ways of the Kingdom, it is ironic that His ways are best for us even when His ways appear to lead us in the direction of death.
Making righteous decisions require that we inquire of the Lord's will in prayer. We may, at first, resist His will because it seems illogical, to us or others. At first glance, His will may seem to require some form of death, but then, Jesus stated in Matthew 16:25,
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Truthfully, in many ways, we are already dead. In our baptism, we are dead to our sins. Our ambitions may need to die so that they may be replaced by God's vision for our lives. His vision may be drastically different from our desires. We may even question His wisdom in asking us to follow Him down a certain path. But, have we forgotten that Jesus is wise? Have we forgotten that He is all-knowing and all-powerful? Could it be that His plan for us is glorious and we just can't see it because of our fear?
Before you make a final decision, do as Scripture instructs. Test all spirits. Is the voice that you hear asking you to do something that contradicts God's commands in His Holy Word? God is not double-minded. When the voice asks you to lie, cheat, steal or go against God's law, then it is not the Lord you are hearing. However, when what you hear aligns perfectly with the Bible, and you feel peace when you know you should be feel anxiety, then it is, most likely, the Lord beckoning you follow Him.
Now, all you have to decide is whether or not you will trust in the Lord with all you heart, and not lean on your own understanding.
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