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

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

Sharing a Picture

On our anniversary a few days ago, we took a trip to a lodge in the mountains of West Virginia. As we topped the mountain near Thomas, we came upon these wind turbines. They spread for miles along the mountaintop. They're much taller than they appear--over 300 feet tall. 

As we travel on I-65 through Indiana on our way to Chicago, there are hundreds of them row upon row, mile after mile throughout the cornfields.

Controversial, to be sure, for those who believe they blight the landscape. I tend toward that thought, preferring natural beauty. But, then, I tend toward thinking tatooes blot the landscape of natural beauty as well.

Outside my window... 
A little bunny rabbit nibbling on the clover. Plenty of yummies in the yard, so please stay away from my flowers, little bunny!

Noticing the sound of...

Cawing crows. We thought at first it was the neighbor's grandsons blowing kazoos.

From the gardens... 
We finally decided what to do with a small area by the garage where we had a cherry tree cut down a few years ago. Can't plant much there because of the roots, so we moved some fountain grass, mounded some soil around it, and planted a few shallow annuals. Turned out rather nice looking.

Around the house...
My Beloved is working some more on an upstairs bath. Hoping to get the floor finished before Elizabeth and her family come to visit next week.

From the kitchen...
Thought about making a pie to take to a pie social at church tomorrow. Opted to buy an apple caramel walnut pie from Honeybaked Ham while we were there for lunch today. I'm sure this will be much more appreciated than my feeble attempt at making a pie.

From the sewing room...
More strip quilting practice. It's getting easier! Now I'm into log cabin blocks. Making a baby girl quilt for a new little addition to our church a couple of weeks ago.

Learning...
To measure and trim quilt blocks as I go so they'll end up the same size.

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

Having little Elijah come for a brief visit. Oh, yes--his mommy and daddy, too!

Thinking...       

About yesterday's phone conversation with a homeschooling friend from the past. Her daughter graduated a year early, a blessed occasion for this family. Probably more of a milestone than for most us--the mom was not expected to live through May. Mom and daughter worked diligently to get the schooling finished first. They made it. Now they're considering college. To God be the glory. Great things He has done!

Thankful...    

That my mother's CT scan showed no growth of a spot that has been there through a couple of scans. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights.
 

A thought from my Quiet Time...
I've been reading through the gospels in my chronological Bible, and my attention has been arrested  over and again that after healing a variety of people, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone. Then off they go and tell everyone they know. I find this curious. Instant disobedience. Even more curious to me, though, is why Jesus told them not to tell.
 

Currently reading...

Almost finished with 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.

God sovereignly superintends every circumstance showing that He cares personally for every detail and decision in your life (Luke 12:6-7). So, on the positive side, sovereign guidance should give a calm sense of security and peace that God is working all the details together for good. He helps us make choices that are moral and wise. And when circumstances are beyond our knowledge or control, we can confidently place them in His hands, knowing that they are under His control.

[I]n noncommanded decisions made with God-given freedom, the goal of the believer is to choose the alternative that will best expedite and promote the revealed will and purposes of God. To accomplish that objective, we should seek for wisdom through the channels God has provided: prayer, Bible study, research, counselors, past experience, and personal reflection. The amount of time and energy invested in such a search should be in proportion to the importance of the decision (Eph. 5:15-16). If one option is recognized as the most spiritually advantageous, it should be chosen. If two alternatives appear equally prudent, either may be selected. 

We should be able to explain and defend our final decision on the basis of moral guidance ("God Word says...") and wisdom guidance ("It seemed best..."). The decision should be in harmony with the moral will of God in all its details. Then the decision maker should demonstrate that the decision is spiritually advantageous for promoting God's moral will.

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).