Decisions
“An old saying is that you can do anything if you put your mind to it, but you can’t do everything.” Mark Forster
I remember reading that quote a few months back in Mark Forster's book Get Everything Done. And, honestly, it was a downer. But, now I am coming back to the thought because I think there was a lot of wisdom in it.
He goes on to say "Unfortunately, we often fail to say 'no' properly to the infinity of possible of choices that the world presents us with. This is because we have failed to say a definite 'yes' to those things we have decided on. . . It is our refusal to accept this very simple fact that leads to our spreading our attention over so many areas that we do not have sufficient left to do any of them properly."
I remember reading that quote a few months back in Mark Forster's book Get Everything Done. And, honestly, it was a downer. But, now I am coming back to the thought because I think there was a lot of wisdom in it.
He goes on to say "Unfortunately, we often fail to say 'no' properly to the infinity of possible of choices that the world presents us with. This is because we have failed to say a definite 'yes' to those things we have decided on. . . It is our refusal to accept this very simple fact that leads to our spreading our attention over so many areas that we do not have sufficient left to do any of them properly."
Have you ever been to a really good buffet? They have so much good food and I think it is human nature to want to try a bit of it all. I think that it can be like that with the things we do in life. We want to try it all. We don't want to miss out on anything.
Jeremiah 10:23 KJV
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 NLT
I know, O Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.
My point? It is not for us to decide. It is easy to live life looking for pleasure or simply survival. But we are made by God with a plan and a purpose. So, first, we need to seek God's plans to guide the decisions and purposes of our lives. He very much needs to have a say about what it is that we are spending our time on. And we need to take periodic time - maybe daily - and pray to him to make sure that the things we are doing with our time both honor God and what he wants us to do with our lives.
What if we have no idea what God is calling is to do in this time in our lives?
I have a verse for you that has given me peace more times than I can count:
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Here is another verse that goes along with that.
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
He is inviting you to come to him. To pray to him. Ask him to direct your steps. That is your part. His part is to direct you. So, if you don't know if something is right for you or not - or if someone is right for you or not - ask God. That is your part. Pray to him and ask him. His part? His part is to direct you. You need to let go of the responsibility of that part.
And I don't think it dishonors God to hold him to it. If you prayed and asked and are still confused - tell him. It is his job to direct you. But keep your eyes open for an answer. Maybe you will get a dream. Maybe someone will come and give you some unsolicited advice. Maybe you will just know in your heart. But I think it honors, not dishonors God, when we tell him we want confirmation because we want to do his will.
Now, it is another story if you are purposefully ignoring God's guidance and pretending you do not understand what he wants you to do. You know your heart and he knows your heart. And once you know what direction God is leading you to, it is your job to obey.
Prayer:
Heavenly father, it is not in man to direct his steps. Remind us that there is a purpose in our lives. Our work and life is not in vain. Breath purpose and passion into our lives. Give us clear direction. Be patient with us when we doubt. Allow us to be your hands and feet and live for you. To serve. To love. Do not allow us to spend our lives in vanity or self service. Give us vision for greater things. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Jeremiah 10:23 KJV
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 NLT
I know, O Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.
My point? It is not for us to decide. It is easy to live life looking for pleasure or simply survival. But we are made by God with a plan and a purpose. So, first, we need to seek God's plans to guide the decisions and purposes of our lives. He very much needs to have a say about what it is that we are spending our time on. And we need to take periodic time - maybe daily - and pray to him to make sure that the things we are doing with our time both honor God and what he wants us to do with our lives.
What if we have no idea what God is calling is to do in this time in our lives?
I have a verse for you that has given me peace more times than I can count:
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Here is another verse that goes along with that.
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
He is inviting you to come to him. To pray to him. Ask him to direct your steps. That is your part. His part is to direct you. So, if you don't know if something is right for you or not - or if someone is right for you or not - ask God. That is your part. Pray to him and ask him. His part? His part is to direct you. You need to let go of the responsibility of that part.
And I don't think it dishonors God to hold him to it. If you prayed and asked and are still confused - tell him. It is his job to direct you. But keep your eyes open for an answer. Maybe you will get a dream. Maybe someone will come and give you some unsolicited advice. Maybe you will just know in your heart. But I think it honors, not dishonors God, when we tell him we want confirmation because we want to do his will.
Now, it is another story if you are purposefully ignoring God's guidance and pretending you do not understand what he wants you to do. You know your heart and he knows your heart. And once you know what direction God is leading you to, it is your job to obey.
Prayer:
Heavenly father, it is not in man to direct his steps. Remind us that there is a purpose in our lives. Our work and life is not in vain. Breath purpose and passion into our lives. Give us clear direction. Be patient with us when we doubt. Allow us to be your hands and feet and live for you. To serve. To love. Do not allow us to spend our lives in vanity or self service. Give us vision for greater things. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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