Get out of the boat: Fear in decision making
From the time we get up in the morning, we make decisions: brush teeth before or after breakfast, eat breakfast or not, grouch or grumble when the cereal spills all over the floor, stop for gas before work or after, add more to retirement account or buy a new lawnmower? From the mundane to our attitudes, to long-term plans and goals, we engage in 35,000 decisions daily. 35,000. Granted, many of these decisions are not going to radically alter our day, for example brushing my teeth before or after breakfast. But I would say that all of our decisions ultimately glorify God, or they don’t.
Glorify God
Even mundane decisions like toothbrushing glorify God by maintaining His dwelling place (Psalm 84). But these kinds of decisions come from the regular attention paid to living in God’s Spirit, love and Word. Knowing God well drives this kind of mundane decision, for example when we know we ‘should’ but don’t always do those things. We know we should leave the house in time to arrive punctually, but we are the one who is always tardy. Those are the ones that are reflective of our immersion in and understanding of His word. These decisions also include our attitude and outlook, approaching with joy or wallowing in anger. We are called to carry out the life of Jesus in our skin, through our own personality and expression of Him in us, so our decisions are not all alike, but we all work toward the same goal.
Then there are bigger decisions, the ones that alter the course of our life and maybe others. These are the choices where two or more options will glorify God, but we have to understand which one He wants of us. Or it is the choice of how to get to the goal, applying to university or jobs will give many avenues to reach the same goal, but which is where God wants us? Will we save thousands for retirement or will we give thousands to feed the starving? The night that Mary opened her savings in the form of a bottle of nard, she had the choice to save it for hard times and exchange it for her advantage or to use it to honor Jesus (John 12:3). The rich young ruler in Luke 12:13-21 had a great harvest and couldn’t store it all. When he asked himself what do with all of it, he decided to teardown the barns he had and build bigger ones.
Honor in trust
Both of these people had enough for today, and it was about what to do for tomorrow that engaged them. Mary chose to trust that God would have her and chose to honor him in her actions. The ruler chose to keep for himself. I often consider the rich young ruler parable in different ways. It is about God being involved in decisions without a doubt, but it is also about being generous, taking care of others, being thankful. But in the whole of the parable there is only one person, no servants who have brought in the haul, no God to turn to for guidance, no family to share in the abundance. That is what we risk when we do not turn to God in our decisions, ending up without God and alone. God honors those who trust Him, so Mary was covered in her decision and as Jesus shows when he rebukes those who see her honor as waste.
Though both had stored up what they did not need for now, only one listened to what God had to say about the decision. The young ruler asked only himself, not even a confidant, field manager or servant and certainly not God. Mary took her offering directly to Jesus and certainly would have received his redirection should it have been necessary. What folly when we lean on our own understanding instead of lifting our eyes to His help. I honestly don’t think there is anything else required of us when making decisions: ask and involve God. Of course, then do as He asked.
Rocking boats
I often feel like I am in a boat out to sea when I have to make a decision. Often alone, and with the destination far, far away. In our uncertainty, when both options or any of the options, will glorify God we have to trust in His sovereignty. Trusting in His sovereignty is moving forward in the assurance that He will correct us if we misunderstood, or He will be glorified in any of our choices. Trusting in His sovereignty is standing on the promise that He will work everything to our good because He has called us to this purpose. He has called us and will either make it clear or will lead us through the way to get us there, working it all together for good. Like Peter who called out ‘Lord, if it is you, tell me to come’ and upon the response to come, he did – we too need to act when we make the decision. Jesus was there to pull Peter up when he stumbled, and He is there for us too. Sitting in the wave-rocked boat either dithering or not picking up the oars of the decision harms us. It does not build confidence and trust in the Lord unless we act on that faith. It doesn’t get you any closer to the destination or resolution unless we act on the decision. We drift, likely away from where God wants us headed if we don’t pick up the oars and row, or as Peter did, get out of the boat.
So, you made it out of the boat, took that first step? Well done! He will guide us. And if the fear of making the wrong decision is overwhelming, remember that He loves you and He covers you. Making a wrong decision is not the end of our relationship with God, it is the beginning of a growth season with God. He not only forgives us for not hearing well or choosing our own path but restores what we have lost by going that way. We cannot possibly out-sin the blood of Jesus, there is always enough to wash us clean and set us on the right path. When the motive in our hearts is to glorify Him, He will always guide us and lead us, even unseen. Guiding a bicycle is easier than moving a statue; He can change our course much more easily when we are already moving than if we are sitting on the wayside. In trusting Him, He can smooth the ride and guide us where we belong. Or if we stick to the boat analogy, He will fill the sails and calm the seas as you work to realize the decision.
