Now What God?

Life has been so crazy busy lately that I haven’t taken the time to write much. The other morning, while I was lying in bed, I felt the sudden prompting that I was supposed to write two blogs. The first was supposed to be related to decision making and the other was supposed to address the concept of “Secret Places.” So here is the first one…

Karen and I are constantly doing projects around the house that either needs to be done due to routine maintenance and upkeep requirements or because we are attempting to change/improve the conditions in which we live. With every large project that we attempt, we almost always encounter some sort of hiccup in the process that causes us to spend more time or resources in order to bring the project to completion. So many times I have wondered what it would be like to accomplish a large project without those issues that seem to hinder productivity and someday I suspect that we will have a project that will go as planned. In all honesty though, it is through the solving of those issues/problems that come up that I tend to learn the most. It requires me to do a lot of research, ask a lot of questions and sometimes seek the counsel of friends and/or family.

Over the years and many projects, I have learned that not all the advice that I get from google searches or from talking to others is good sound advice. As well as the intentions of the folks are that either posts their opinions or experiences online or those who give me their advice face-to-face, sometimes it just doesn’t quite fit the bill. It is for that reason that I have learned to include God in all decisions that could be potentially dangerous or costly. Now I know there are those folks who are thinking, “You should include God in all your decisions” and my response is that God does direct all my decisions because he gave me the wisdom to make the routine day to day decisions without seeking extra guidance every time I turn around. As a parent I want my boys to make routine decisions on their own and I believe that God expects the same of us. It is those non-routine issues that tend to be problematic for me and it is those types of issues that I run to God with.

So how does one go about finding answers to those non-routine issues that pop up in life? As much as I wish I could go running to my friends for answers (and I do have some really great friends), I know that ultimately the best answers come from God. It is for that reason that my decision making process must include God first. I have learned over the years that any decision that I make ultimately needs to please God. You see, any decision I make in the physical realm affects the spiritual realm as well. When it comes to decisions, God expects us to be spiritual people who focus upon spiritual decisions utilizing spiritual principles. Then it only makes sense that it all would begin with prayer. When a question arises that will affect mine or my family’s lives, the first step for me should be to spend significant amounts of time in prayer.  

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 that Scriptures are inspired by God so that the people of God may be completely equipped for life and ministry. The second step in a good decision making process should include the examination of the scriptures because all the available information we need to make wise decisions when it comes to spiritual matters is located here. The third aspect of spiritual decision making is that the decision should result in the glorification of God. We exist to glorify God in the community in which we live and are a visible representation of God to the community. Paul writes, “We are therefore Christ’s Ambassadors’” (2 Corinthians 5:20). In the decisions I make and the actions I take, I should always seek to reflect the character of God in such a way that his reputation is enhanced by what I do.

Lastly, Proverbs makes it clear that the wise seek the advice of many counselors (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). By seeking the counsel of many, we gain greater insight and understanding due to differing perspectives. This is the area that I suspect people need to be very cautious in. Sometimes folks will skip or lightly skim the previous steps of prayer, searching the scriptures and trying to bring glorification to God in order to get advice from others because they already know that what they want to do either violates the Word of God or will bring dishonor to him and they just want somebody to agree with them. This is extremely dangerous, especially if those from whom they are seeking counsel have not gone through the same steps of prayer, searching the scriptures and seeking what would be most glorifying to God. Here’s what I know to be true when it comes to getting advice from others. If it violates the Word of God (scriptures), its bad advice and I wouldn’t follow it.

To end on a positive note, God has put some really great Godly people in our lives and I would seek their counsel any time because I know that I could trust them. They are Godly people who would follow a similar decision making process and would provide me with honest and sound Godly advice, even if it wasn’t what I necessarily wanted to hear. Those are the kind of friends that I appreciate and gravitate towards.