At some point, even the smartest of us faces a dilemma. A decision that could go either way. A list of options that we must analyze, prioritize or synthesize. If you really pay attention, this happens many, many times each day in big or small ways.
Should I get up and grab a cup of coffee or keep working at my computer? Should I reply to that email with strong words or gentle words? Should I really be spending this money? Should I reach out to the person who hurt my feelings?
These are just the beginning. Think of all the major life decisions. Get married? To whom? Take the job offer? Sign the papers? Move to California? Move from California?
God what should I do?
God loves it when you don’t know what to do. Here’s why. He is God, and you’re not. You don’t know everything, and he does.
If you think you know everything, it proves that you don’t know everything because you don’t know how wrong you are about knowing everything.
Use that on your know-it-all friend today! But first, start with yourself.
You don’t know everything there is to know about any of the decisions you make today. Sometimes that frustrates you. Sometimes that overwhelms you. Sometimes that influences you toward a bad decision.
Through all of it, God doesn’t blame you.
God doesn’t dig up your past bad decisions and rub them in your face.
God doesn’t laugh at you as you’re trying to decide and going back and forth for days or weeks or months while he is holding his cards that show exactly what is best.
God doesn’t shake his head, roll his eyes, and think, “Not again. Can’t you just make a good decision for once?”
Instead, God builds you up. He usually doesn’t take the decision away from you, but allows you to work through it even when it’s difficult. But he does equip you with what you need to decide well.
God gives you everything, like a packet of tools included in furniture I purchased that comes in a box and needs assembly. I don’t have to bring my own tools, and then forget some, or some don’t fit or are broken. The manufacturer provides the exact tools needed. Masterpiece!
God gives you what you need to unpack your decisions into designed masterpieces. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
All you need for that to happen is to lack wisdom, admit it, and ask God for help.
PRAYER: God, you are perfect and loving in your wisdom. You know all things, and don’t blame me when I don’t know everything. I want to seek your wisdom more often, believing that you will guide me. Show me the way, so that I can follow Jesus and lead others to him. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read James 1:2-8. Under what circumstances does James write about needing wisdom (vv. 2-4)? The main problem with making bad decisions isn’t that we do not know everything, but that we think we know everything (vv. 5-6). Wisdom comes more from faith and forgiveness than facts (vv. 6-8).