Everyone must make choices and decisions in life. Perhaps you haven’t thought about it before, but your life is made up of choices you make. We are what we become because of the choices we make each day. Little choices we make each day may seem unimportant, but really – those little individual decisions are all connected, and together they shape who we become.
The good news for you is – now that you are saved, you don’t have to make your decisions and choices all on your own. In fact, you should now no longer make your choices on your own; you should always, always involve the Lord even in small decisions. Sometimes there will be things you really want to do – just because it’s something you like and want. But, God may want you to say “No!”.
You now belong to Christ. You are in God’s family, and Jesus, who is your Saviour, is also your Lord and Master. You are no longer in the driver’s seat of the car of life. Therefore, you should never make decisions without seeking God’s will. “What does the Lord think about this? What does He want me to do?”
There are seven helpful things to do when it comes to knowing God’s will for your life or for specific choices you have to make.
Reading your Bible. God will never say ‘YES’ to anything in your life that He already has said ‘NO’ to in His Word. For example, God will never lead you to date and marry an unbeliever. Nor will He ever approve of you buying a lottery ticket or getting drunk or high on the weekend. You find out what God likes and dislikes by reading His Word every day
Praying to the Lord. Talk to God about what you are thinking or what you think you need. Tell Him you don’t want to make a choice against His will. If you desperately want something, tell Him that you don’t trust your own heart or motives. Ask Him to make it obvious to you whether to say no or yes.
Yielding always to the Lord. Tell Him your thoughts but then always say: “But Lord, I will yield to Your Will. I don’t want to do my own will. I want to do Your’s.” If you want something so desperately that you don’t want to yield to God just in case you don’t get it, then you are a way off track!
Listening to Godly Advice. We learn from Proverbs 12:15 that only fools think they are always right – but wise people listen to others. Christians in your life whom you trust and respect – be sure to talk to them and ask them what they think.
Thinking things through. God gave you a brain, and He expects you to use it. List the pros and cons of making a certain choice. Ask yourself lots of questions like – is this to please God or me? Will it help me be a better Christian? Will it help others to see more of Christ in my life? Could this hinder me in any way in pleasing the Lord? Could this lead to something else that may not be as good? Will other Christians think this is a good choice?
Waiting for God’s peace in your heart. As you read your Bible, you will understand God places a high value on ‘patience’. He Himself is a patient God, and He values patience in you. Paul wrote: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Colossians 3:15. But always remember, our emotions and feelings can be fickle. There will be times when we know something is definitely right to do, but we are terrified to proceed.
Here are some famous quotes: “When in doubt, do nothing. When action is needed, light will come.” “Darkness about going is light about staying.” “Wait until guidance is so clear that to refuse it would be positive disobedience.” “It is folly to act when the dove of peace has flown from the heart.”
Doing what you already know is His Will. Some twiddle their thumbs doing nothing while they wait for God’s direction in their life. Instead, stay busy pleasing God in what you already know is His will for you to do today. What He wants you to do in five years’ time may be very different than the task He has given you today. Worry about doing all His will for you today and allow Him the time to unfold the future for your life as He sees fit. Just obey today.
The happiest times in your Christian life will be when you know you are pleasing God in the choices you are making. When you take your own way and do your own will, you will experience uneasiness and disappointment and a distance in your relationship with your Lord.
Assignment for today:
- Read and underline in your Bible, Romans chapter 12, verses 1 and 2. Notice the reference to the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for your life.
- Read Colossians 1:9-11 and notice that we can be ‘filled with the knowledge of God’s will.
- Also read and underline: Psalm 25:9, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:33, John 5:30, Colossians 1:9-11
