When a Poor Decision Becomes the Richer One

I've been thinking and praying the past few weeks about what God would have me do about something that's been on my heart for awhile. I took a step into it yesterday, and it seems to be a positive move forward. Not all of my steps turn out positively, though. Some do not move forward at all. And some have tended to bring doubt and misgivings about God's leading, because some of my 'urgings' (aka ideas) just lead to nowhere or turn out disastrously.

I've at times thought that there must be something wrong with my spirituality, my connection with God, that I couldn't discern His will. There were times when this inability paralyzed me into doing nothing at all. I so very much wanted to be in the center of His perfect will. How more spiritual than that could I possibly be? Nothing else would do. I sincerely believed that all I wanted in my life was doing whatever God wanted, and without full assurance of that, I was not to take another step. "When in doubt, don't."

I've realized over time, though, that what I really wanted was to be all-knowing, not full of doubt. I've since accepted that that's one of God's attributes, and is not communicable to me. It's not one that I can strive after. It is His alone. There are some things that He simply is not telling me, for whatever purpose there might be.

It was spiritually and emotionally freeing when I realized that more than being fearful of missing God's will in a matter, I was fearful of making a mistake, fearful of failure, fearful of where my failure might lead me. What I was doing was living my life in fear rather than in robust faith.

I've learned that being in God's will is not really about the doing. It's not about knowing what I should do every step along the way, although seeking wisdom in decisions is always prudent. God's will is rather about my being as decisions are made. Not what does God want me to do? But who does God want me to be? It's possible to make what seems to be the best choice in a decision, but if that decision is made out of fear or avoidance, what glory does that bring to God?

It's not about making better decisions, but about who I am becoming in whatever decision is made. The doing is often ambiguous. The being is clearly shown in God's Word. I am to be conformed to the image of Christ, transformed into His likeness, becoming like Him. A life lived in trust, knowing that in all my decisions, whether perfect or not, God will work them for good according to His purpose. And often in making a poor decision, I've learned much more about His love and care through its consequences. He is my provider, my sustainer, my sufficiency. He leads me in the paths of righteousness.

Yes, it's more than a little prudent to make wise decisions. Our decisions move us along a path through life.

But sometimes the poor decision can turn out to be the richer decision.

Image ~ Destiny, John William Waterhouse, 1900

public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Wisdom in Decision-Making

I've known many people over the years (myself included) who have waited and waited and waited on God to give them a particular direction in a decision--to open a door, to close a door, to hear from a burning bush, to see the dew on or off the fleece, to see the writing on the wall (my rendition is a postcard from heaven), to have someone or something at a certain place at a certain time. Actually, most anything that will take the decision away from our having to make it ourselves will do. Often the wait overshadows the need, decisions are not made, opportunities are missed, and life takes on a motionless hue.

Decisions that involve direct commands from Scripture are not the difficulty. Decisions that involve our coming to some conclusion are where many of us leave it in abeyance. God gives us more freedom in decision-making than we might think. But this freedom is based on wisdom thinking, developed through an understanding of the whole counsel of God.

I've mentioned a book that I've just recently read--Decision Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen. I'd like to share a brief excerpt with you today.

We are seeking a biblical answer to the question: In the area of freedom, on what basis should a believer make a decision? The examples of Old Testament leaders, the theme of biblical Wisdom Literature, the instruction of Jesus, and the practice of the apostles all point to wisdom as the single controlling factor. As we saw in the previous chapter, the pattern the apostles followed is particularly striking. Not once is it recorded that they attempted to discover God's individual will for such decisions. Their explanations for their plans are couched in phrases such as " "We thought it best," "I thought it necessary," "If it is fitting," "It is not desirable," "It seemed good," and simply, "I have decided." (Luke explained a decision Paul made about an itinerary with the words, "for he was hurrying" [Acts 20:16]!). Clearly these men were exercising their freedom of choice (as well as their responsibility to decide) within God's moral will. And wisdom best encapsulates the criteria for these decisions.

Here is the concept stated as a principle: In the area of freedom, the believer's goal is to make wise decisions on the basis of spiritual usefulness. Or, when there is no command, God gives freedom and wisdom to make spiritually advantageous decisions.

Photo ~ Fork, by kirkandmimi
via pixabay CC0 Creative Commons

The Simple Woman's Daybook

A picture to share... 

Outside my window... 

Beautiful sunshine and a tidied up garden

Noticing the sound of...

My Beloved mowing the lawn.

From the gardens... 
Tidied up the little garden by the driveway and added some new flowers. We laid down newspapers and covered with mulch. An effective way to hinder weed growth and still be able to plant later without the hassle of landscape cloth.

Around the house...
The rhythm of routine.

From the kitchen...
Fixed a new baked macaroni dish this week. The macaroni didn't cook very well, but I still think it's a keeper. Will tweak it and share the recipe soon.

From the sewing room...
Practicing strip quilting. Made a small quilt top with this method that I'll use later for a baby quilt.

Learning...
Filling in the gaps and learning new skills as I'm working through the freshman level of the Quilter's Academy book.

This coming week I'm looking forward to...

Celebrating our 42nd anniversary. Someone asked me today if each year gets better. Indeed, it does!

Thinking...       

About a current situation in which a man is actively spreading untruth about our church leaders to divert attention from his own misdeeds to sway a major decision. Masterful manipulation. Such a tangled web of deceit to cover a man's pride.

Thankful...    

For our pastor and his wife who bear burdens most of us know little about. 
 

A thought from my Quiet Time...

"The doctrine of adoption tells us that the experience of heaven will be a family gathering, as the great host of the redeemed meet together in face-to-face fellowship with their Father God and Jesus their brother. This is the deepest and clearest idea of heaven that the Bible gives us. To see and know and love, and be loved by, the Father and the Son, in company with the rest of God's vast family, is the whole essence of the Christian hope." ~ from Knowing God Through the Year by J.I. Packer 

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

~ 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

 

Currently reading...

Decision-Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen. It's not a quick read. Much food for thought. Sharing a bit with you today.

[The wisdom view] recognizes that wisdom is gained progressively. God has not promised to whisper perfect plans or omniscience into the mind of any believer who asks. Accordingly, the apostles counseled that when a decision is required, those who are "full of....wisdom" (Acts 6:3) and "prudent" (1 Timothy 3"2) will do the best job. The church has not been told to choose as leaders those who are best at picking up and decoding inner impressions, but those who are mature and wise (1 Corinthians 6:5).

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I reflect on simple thoughts and simple pleasures. My leads are somewhat similar to others in The Simple Woman's Daybook group, yet a bit different as well. 

A picture to share... 

Birdhouse Planter in Our Front Yard

Outside my window... 

My Beloved mowing the lawn. 

Noticing the sound of...

The lawnmower

 

Thankful...    

For times of fellowship with friends of kindred spirit. I had lunch with a long-time friend yesterday, catching up on happenings and what God is doing in their family's life. Saw some old friends at our homeschooling graduation last evening.  

Thinking...      

About the thoughtfulness of a dear friend who left flowers on my doorstep on my birthday. What a delightful blessing when My Beloved and I returned from my surprise destination that day. God is so good to use His children as instruments of grace in the Redeemer's hand.

A thought from my Quiet Time....
Knowing that all I do will eventually (either here or there) be judged by God has a direct effect on my view of life. Judgment can be good or bad, depending on what I've done and why.


The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecc. 12:13-14

Learning...   
I was introduced to a new little crepe shop where a friend treated me to lunch yesterday that has delicious huge crepes (14 inches or so). I had a Greek crepe without Feta cheese. I know the cheese is part of what makes it Greek, but it's just not to my liking. It was still wonderful without it. We split a raspberry-nutella crepe for dessert. I'll be going back there soon!

 

Around the house.... 

We had looked at getting a new front entry door, until we saw the cost. :-/ My Beloved is painting the one we have. :-)

From the kitchen...
A new recipe for chicken enchiladas from Friday's supper.


1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (I used frozen strips)
4 tsp chili powder
2 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1.5 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp baking cocoa
1 cup fat-free milk
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
4 green onions, chopped
1 can (4 oz) chopped green cilies, drained
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro, divided
6 whole wheat tortillas (8 in.)
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (I used mozzarella)


1. Sprinkle chicken with chili powder. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chicken in oil over medium heat until no longer pink. Sprinkle with flour, coriander and cocoa; stir until blended.
2. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the corn, onions, chilies and salt; cook and stir 2 minutes longer or until heated through. Remove from the heat. Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro.
3. Spread 2/3 cup filling down the center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam side down in a 13x9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. In a small bowl, combine the salsa, tomato sauce and remaining cilantro; pour over enchiladas. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until heated through.

From Healthy Cooking Magazine

From the gardens...

Did some dead-heading and tied up some roses. My Beloved painted the birdhouse flower box this week. He's so good to take care of the heavy-duty stuff. :-)

From the sewing room...

My Beloved gifted me with some fabric yardage to add to my stash. A Happy Birthday present! Love it!

Currently reading...

Decision-Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen. Sharing a bit with you today.

God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are asserted side by side in Scripture (Acts 2:23; $:27-28). Whether or not we can put them together in our minds, we must accept both truths. And so we acknowledge a fourth characteristic of God's sovereign will: it is the supreme determiner of all things--without violating human responsibility or making God the author of sin.

The story is told of two soldiers who experienced a lull in the fighting several days after their D-day landing at Normandy. As they approached the plaza of a city, they found a statue of Christ that had been toppled. On the intact base someone had scrawled the words, "His reign is over." It can seem that way in the carnage of battle, but these soldiers knew better. They quietly replaced the statue and added three words to the base. Now it read, "His reign is over...heaven and earth."

Believers know God reigns despite their theological arguments about it. J.I. Packer contends that in prayer all believers really do believe that God is sovereign. "On our feet we may have arguments about it, but on our knees we are all agreed."

(Blogger's formatting is still not cooperating. Looks good in preview but messes up on publishing.)

Decision Making

The Youngest Son's Farewell, Adolph Tideman

What a delight to look at the front of the fridge and see children of friends who are growing up, graduating from high school and college, getting married, and having babies! Pictures and announcements and invitations to share in their joy. What a blessing!

Knowing all of them, each is contemplating a decision or has made a decision of one sort or another about God's will. I hope they've asked the right question. The wrong question--What is God's will for my life? The right question--What is God's will? There's a vast difference in the questions.

The wrong question--What is God's will for my life?-- has me as the focus. My life. My individual, personalized plan. There's a tendency to be concerned about ourselves and how everything affects us or applies to us. Surely, it's a good thing to know what God wants us to do in the big and small of life. We do want the best God has for us. Isn't the best place to be in the center of God's will? Isn't that where we'll find greatest contentment and happiness? But it's still really all about us.

The right question--What is God's will?-- has God as the focus. God's will. He gave us His will in His Word. If we focus on God and are continually in His Word, we'll begin to understand His will more clearly. And as we step into the light of His Word and walk in His ways, we begin to live out His will--for every follower of Jesus Christ.

It's the BIG things in life that we tend to think more specifically about God's will--Where should we go to college? Who should we marry? What job should we take? Where should we live? Should we move? We want something on the radar screen, specifically for us. But if we're living in the light of His Word, there can be several choices for us--all in the realm of His righteousness and moral will.

What job should I take, for example? In understanding the whole of Scripture, God's will for me is to be a keeper of the home, a nurturer of my children, a wife who does her husband good, a Titus 2 woman, especially to my daughters, but to other young women as well. Therefore, my job radiates from my home. I wouldn't have much time or energies for marketplace employment. But on the other hand, there are other considerations as well, all within the realm of God's purposes in His Word. My children are married, so I have some available time for other "ministries of reconciliation." And that could be a myriad of righteous choices. I might have time to join a quilting group for the furtherance of the gospel. Then on the other hand, my husband may want me more available to be his helper. And so the decisions go.

Thinking and living out the wisdom of God's Word. Knowing and doing the will of God. It can be confusing--if we don't ask the right question.

Painting ~ The Youngest Son's Farewell 1866, Adolph Tidemand 1814-1876

via Wikimedia Commons public domain