Jacob Robertson

Decisions…Decisions

You are going to face an ever-increasing number of decisions as you grow older and move in and out of seasons in life. Life is full of decisions. Some are trivial and will be merely a matter of preference. But others will carry with them much more significance. Some decisions will test your character, your morals, and will determine the direction you go in life. These directional decisions will determine what you do in life, where you will go and even who you will do it with. So many decisions! Where do we start? Where you start in making decisions will make all the difference.

Follow My Heart?

It’s been said before to simply “follow your heart.” Let me tell you what Jeremiah says about the heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it” (ESV). Approaching life decisions apart from God leaves you to rely on your own limited ability to gather the information, to consider the options and make your best guess at the outcomes. God commands us not to make these decisions alone. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “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 straight your paths” (ESV). When we choose to fully rely on God and trust Him there is much less deciding and much more following. Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Choosing where you will start is really the hardest decision. So, let me help you with that: start at the foot of the cross of Christ. Will you trust yourself to make life’s most important decisions or will you place your trust in The God who holds the world in His hands? There are three guideposts in the Bible God has consistently used to guide his people: the reading and studying of God’s Word, prayer, and wise counsel. We would do well to use these divine tools God provides us as we navigate this life.

A Lamp Unto My Feet… – God’s Holy Word

The first guidepost in our life is God’s Word. God’s Word is, as Psalm 119:105 says “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Christian Church has grossly misunderstood the supremacy of Scripture. God’s Holy Word is not a self-help book. It’s not a book of suggestions. It’s the inerrant and infallible, divinely inspired Words of God. We must treat it as such. R.C. Sproul writes “God’s revelation provides the insight to guide His servant. He will not trip in the darkness” (863). Studying Scripture requires the reader to let go of all confirmation biases. Come to Scripture seeking truth no matter what. Avoid taking Scripture out of context in order to fit your predisposition. Trevin Wax, Vice President of Research & Resource Development at the North American Mission Board, writes “Go to the Bible looking for God. Find Him, and application will follow. But go looking for application, and you may miss both.” The best way to avoid taking Scripture out of context is go to it looking for God. For more information about how to study the Bible, click here.

Our Father Who is in Heaven… – Prayer

The second guidepost in our life is prayer; communication with God. I certainly speak for myself, and perhaps speak for a greater number of Christians, when I say that prayer is difficult. It really shouldn’t be, though. The Westminster Shorter Catechism’s defines prayer as “an offering of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies” (Q. 98). God even provides us with how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. The Lord’s Prayer can be separated into five different sections: prayers of adoration, dedication, supplication, confession, and protection. Prayer is arguably the most objective measurement of our dependence upon God. The things you spend time in prayer are the things you trust God to handle. Conversely, the things you neglect to pray about are the things you trust you can handle on your own. Go to God with everything! Place your decisions in His hands and let him deal with the consequences.

Without counsel plans fail… – Wise Counsel

The third guidepost God provides us with are other Christians who demonstrate wisdom and discernment. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible states “If a man determines and resolves upon a matter, and at once hastily and precipitately goes about it, without mature deliberation, without consulting with himself, and taking the advice of others in forming a scheme to bring about his designs, it generally comes to nothing.” More importantly, Proverbs 15:22 says “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (ESV). There are three kinds of counselors that I seek in my life: 1) Those who know me and can help me understand myself. 2) Those who know the situation and can give me valuable insight into what will be involved in the decision. 3) Those who know God and will listen to me share the issues and provide me with a godly perspective. Surround yourself with other Christians that will tell you the truth. Be open and humble to listen to wise counsel and receive Biblical advice.

Final Thoughts

I’ve always enjoyed hiking, especially if the weather is pleasant. I’ve found the most important tool or piece of equipment a hiker can own he already has: his senses. We use our sight to look for way markers. We use our ears to listen for animals or an impending thunder storm, and so forth. God has provided us with the adequate tools to follow Him faithfully. We have God’s Word. We have complete access to God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ with prayer. And we have the ability to surround ourselves with other wise Christians. Just as God has been faithful to provide these tools, will we be faithful to use them? And more importantly, will we submit to His will?