Making decisions is always a balancing act of sorts. There are times when the wrong decision is clearly the wrong decision. But there are also times when you have several good choices, all of which would be good decisions. I try very hard to weigh my choices carefully – to consider all the ramifications, the impact it will have on others as well as Cindy and me. That’s not always a very easy job.
We have been in the process of expanding our team, hiring new people to travel with us on the road. Life on the road sounds glamorous and wonderful. In fact, it’s difficult and challenging and tiring. Choosing which individuals will “occupy the limited space” in our customized living quarters is not an easy one. And one that I take very seriously – which means I give each possibility a great deal of thought and prayer. I believe in praying about things – all things, but especially the major decisions that I have to make in our lives and business. I don’t take that lightly.
Living a life of faith means trusting in God in every area of my life – not just a few selected ones. God sometimes allows me (all of us) to get into a place of testing where my own well-being (personal or business) would be the obvious thing to consider. And I have the “right” to make those decisions, those choices, that will best serve my purposes. But if I am living a life of faith, I can waive my right and allow God to make those choices for me. You might be asking, “What are you talking about? How do you allow God to make those choices for you?” And that is a very good question!
Certainly it’s not some audible voice from the heavens saying, “Choose this one.” But I have to confess, THAT would make living life much easier but that is not a life of faith. The writer of the book of Hebrews (chapter 11) in the Bible said it this way, “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living.” It is believing in the unseen, trusting in the Unknown – putting confidence in God that He wants the very best for our lives, in all things. The very best does not mean “easy.” God is more concerned about developing our character than He is about our comfort. And sometimes the greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not doing wrong things (those things that we clearly know are unacceptable and displeasing to God), but rather making good choices that are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best! Making the BEST choice is not easy either – and it can be difficult distinguishing between the “good” and the “best.” God gives us a conscience, a sensitivity and intuition deep inside to help guide us when we are tuned in to Him.
In my situation, I must weigh all the options, consider every possibility, deliberate on every quality, pray about each individual and situation, in order to follow that sensitivity and make the “best” decision.
That doesn’t mean I’m perfect – or that every decision I make is the “best” decision. But I do try my best to do the right thing…and make the best decisions possible with the information I have.