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I never liked using those sporks they hand out. I mean, what is that? A spoon? A fork? Well, of course, lets combine them and make a spork. Seems like foolishness, doesn't it? I mean why not just choose one or the other? Decisions are not so easy, especially when the pathway isn't clear. So, yes, sometimes as we stand at the fork in the road, in our confusion it can look more like a spork. Really, a fork in the road can be confusing enough, but a spork?
So, what do we do? Most of the time we turn to friends and ask, "Which way should I go?" Although this seems like the most optional decision, doesn't it? When we listen to our friends, we end up taking advice that is meant for them. It's easy to give advice, but when it comes to needing it, that's more delicate and not so easy.
When our parents taught us to look both ways before crossing the street was wisdom we could carry all through life. lol We just never invisioned on seeing a spork! Then it just seemed as if our parents were putting more rules on us. But, that was wisdom wrapped in love. In our decisions we should remember to look both ways. Look at both options before us. Look deeply. Not just at today, but down the road. Past that spork facing us.
A good notion to keep in our heart is to remember at times before we can take a step forward we must take a step back. Step back and look at the whole picture. The most important aspect of making a decision is going to the Lord in prayer. I'm not so great at patience. In fact, it's a struggle for me. Even in decision making and praying. It would be nice to have our decision right now, wouldn't it? Everything in God's perfect timing. See, the thing we forget, He sees past what our vision is able to grasp. He sees past tomorrow and yes, past our decision. So, who better to turn to? Jesus has those answers to our spork situations.
Although waiting is hard, the Lord does some of His greatest work in our hearts while we are waiting upon His answer. If your like me, you have moved too quickly in your decision and as it turns out, you should have gone the other way. Am I right? Even in those times when we choose to go off on our own and take a right instead of a left, God is there to show us the pathway of His choosing. He has a way of working things out for His mighty purpose in our lives. But, what's better is to wait upon the Lord and follow His calling. Oh, how I wish I would have spent more time in prayer in many situations in my life instead of going half cocked off on my own.
What's wrong in going to our friends for advice is the fact that they are not privy to God's calling for our life. A great decision would be to go to our friends and simply ask them to pray for us as we are preparing to make a decision. There is no greater or lesser decision. In fact, every decision we make effects the next. Our decision also has an affect on those around us.
Decision making is a process. It's a journey and it's not to be taken lightly. Believe it or not there is beauty to found in decision making. It's the place we call upon the Lord. It's a time of searching. We question what is before us. So, why make a hasty decision? Why not give yourself time? It's during this journey we not only learn more about the Lord, but about ourselves. Many times we put too much thought into what others will think of our decision. In fact, the only measure of our decision making should be to measure our decision to the Word of God.
In the end, we stand at the spork in the road in hopes it doesn't get broken. In hopes we make the right choice and find our way. The only way to assure our decision is the right one is to wait upon the Lord. Not to just to pray about the choice at hand, but all that is involved. We often think the most important decisions in life are where to go to school, who to marry, what job to take, where to live, where to send our kids to school and so on, but there is something most of us miss while focusing on those decisions. Every decision we make up to that point has affect on that very decision. So, see, as we walk wise, we make wise decisions that will lead to blessings to be uncovered. We must learn to trust the Lord with each and every decision. Knowing He has the answer, takes the load of us. It lessons the burden.
Many times there is a timeline to needing to know our definite answer. We get anxious and that's when we start making unwise decisions. Learn to wait upon the Lord. Learn His voice. The more time spent with Him the more we will recognize when He is speaking to us. He speaks to us through His Word.
See the thing is, when we come to that spork in the road, that is an opportunity for God to shine. He can take that spork and turn it into a blessing we were not expecting. Others can see in our calmness a God in control. We can show the world we have no fear when it comes to sporks. It's all good, because we have a God who makes clear just a spork is. (If your like me, it's a thought to ponder lol)
With Christ in the lead there is no need to fear the spork!
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:18-22
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find Me." Jeremiah 29:11-13
"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
