A lot of persons are facing consequences of poor decisions everyday. I believe it is a beautiful time to talk about making decisions as we are just a month into the new year and so many options await us in the eleven months to come. Firstly, I want you to know that “Your next decision determines your next day”… Let me share this story with you;
When I got my admission into Level 1 – university, I felt some kind of peace… knowing I will then be a big girl, independent and maybe live alone though not far from my family… I was feeling free and good. But things didn’t turn out the way I expected. I had to stay with my spiritual mother (a pastor) for a while, far from where I was going to school. Few months into the new academic year, I was quiet but very observant. I had watched everyone closely and I bet you 90% of my classmates were not like me. I had watched this girl sitting by me daily… she was beautiful, she dressed sexy and fancy, she changed hairstyles practically every week, her nails, her hair, her shoes, her lashes…. Wow! I wanted to be her. Now, it is worth noting that I was already a Christian girl with a lot of convictions and living with a pastor restricted me a lot. I was modest. No hair extensions, no jewelry… just 100% me! There was a fight deep within me about which way to go. I was trapped in two worlds – following my fleshy desires or keeping up with my convictions. I slowly became split in two and then I chose wrongly. I began trying to dress like the others, do the things they did… this happened so fast! Soon, I began building a whole world of lies about myself because I wanted to keep flowing at the same pace with everyone. I told lies about who I was and what I could do… At a certain point, I didn’t even recognize who I truly was. My wrong decision brought me to where I was trapped in a world of lies which destroyed vital relationships I had with people in Christ. God being God, I turnt back to Him helplessly and He didn’t close His eyes on me. Only God truly satisfies.
Dear reader, consequences are always more important than decisions that is why before making a choice think about “what next?” because every decision will always give birth to a consequence be it positive or negative. I have been caught in the hard place of making decisions a lot of times especially spiritually. People often say “when you make a decision, you live with it” But no. You live with the consequence. So… why not consult God even for the littlest details of your life? No decision is ever too small. Remember that God will always guide you. Doesn’t the scriptures say in;
- James 1:5 “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask the Lord who gives liberally to all without reproach”
- Isaiah 30:21 “whether you turn right or left, your ears will hear the voice of the Lord saying ‘this is the way, walk in it”
- Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with a loving eye”
- Proverbs 16:33 “ We may throw the dice but God determines what happens “
- Psalm 109: 105 “His word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path”
This is a lesson I learnt while being trapped in making decisions.
For every option, there will certainly be a thought. For every thought, there will obviously be a choice. For every choice, there will definitely be a decision. For every decision, there will always be a consequence.
Seek God for every decision in order not to be trapped in the wrong ones
On the road of life, crucial decisions are like intersections that call for us to choose the way to go. If we barrel through without seeking the mind of Christ, the road we pick may lead to regret and heartache. Although the Lord is ready and willing to offer clear direction, He doesn’t always give it so quickly. Knowing that he has good reason for withholding immediate choice can help us patiently wait at the intersection for His guidance.
At times, God leaves us in our confused state because He wants to get our attention. You know when everything goes smoothly, we tend to Forget the Lord. But uncertainty of choice draws us back to him like a magnet. By aligning our choices with His and walking In Submission to the leading of the Holy spirit, we become so alert to His voice.
Our waiting period is God’s preparation time. In bringing about his sovereign purposes, He may put our ability to choose on hold… while he coordinates alternatives to line up with His will. Sometimes the Lord has work to accomplish in us before we are ready to handle what He’s planned for us. When He puts us on hold of choosing, it helps strengthen us spiritually. In many cases we may instantly receive direction but other times, if we immediately receive direction, we would rarely have opportunity to exercise our faith. You know Christian maturity becomes evident in the ability to wait in peaceful confidence, trusting that in God’s time, you will know what decision to make and More often than not, you’ll find so much peace in the decisions you make that relate to God’s will.
If impatience tempts you to jump ahead and choose out of the Lord’s timing, you risk stepping out of His will, missing His blessings and facing alot of negative consequences. But by waiting and seeking His face continually, you will walk in His peace with certainty, instead of stumbling around in anxiety and confusion.
God bless you.