I have a really difficult time decorating my house.
I used to think that maybe it was because I don’t want to spend the money. But I’ve come to realize that I’m so overwhelmed at making a wrong decision so I don’t make any decision at all.
Is that something that we do in our spiritual life? Are we so afraid of making wrong decisions or afraid of not being in God’s will or not working to the full potential He has for us that we sit on the sidelines and think that huge touchdown pass will come to us some how?
It is not so, my friends. Do we forget the grace of God? Is He such a Father that He would punish us for seeking after Him as we take steps in a direction of an open door? Don’t get me wrong. There are factors such as keeping His commandments and statutes that come into play that can slam doors shut.
I was faced with what I thought was a very big decision last year. I knew it was a decision that would affect my family and potential friends. I searched and prayed for direction from the Lord. I sought counsel from my husband and prayed with him. The decision never became clear. The only thing I could do was check off a list that it filled. That made me okay with going forward in the decision.
Looking back a year later, with studies of God’s character ministering to my soul, I see that He was not in that decision. I put someone else’s interest and importance above His and I am paying the consequence for that. Our God is loving. He is gracious. But, He is just. I don’t know if our human brains can fully comprehend what that means—especially when studying the Old Testament in stories such as Lot or Solomon’s kingdom being handed over to Jeroboam (if you haven’t read these accounts in 1 Kings 12, please read and consider God’s abundant graciousness). I am coming to the realization that God never confuses us. His answers are never something that we have to question and question again. His counsel is in His word.
Will this decision glorify Him? Am I putting Him in this equation and am I putting Him first? Despite the decision, who am I concerned with disappointing more—those involved or God?
We need to be able to walk away from things in life as soon as we see ourselves veering away from the Lord, when we are putting the concerns of someone else higher than what we think the Lord wants us to do. This difficult trial is heartbreaking but God is gracious to teach me through it. He is ministering to my heart and reminding me of His promises, His character, and especially His grace. I’m so scared to disappoint Him. He doesn’t want us to be scared. He doesn’t want us to not move and just sit in our hesitations and excuses.
Because in the decisions we make as we seek Him, no matter if it was the right decision or not, God is gracious to teach us anyway if we are willing to be taught. That’s where the blessing is. The blessing is in the action. Get up and walk, Jesus said. The blessing is in the walk.
What do you know about the character of our Lord?
List some characteristics of God
2 Chronicles 7:12-22
1 Corinthians 14:33