Be Decisive

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 2, 2017

Give us counsel, render a decision. Isaiah 16:3a

Decisions can be as illusive as your shadow. They can haunt you from behind, or they can lead you from out front. Decisions are not designed to be delayed forever unless, of course, they are related to an evil or wicked act. Decisions are meant to drive you toward God’s purpose and plan for your life. He allows you to make decisions that determine His future for you. He gives you the counsel and the wisdom, but you make the decision. No one else can make the decision for you; God wants you to make it. This is your responsibility and opportunity.

Fear may be delaying your decision. Pride may be prolonging your decision. Lack of trust may be paralyzing your mind with indecision. You may be cautious because a similar experience in the past did not work out so well. But if you delay much longer, you may very well miss this window of opportunity. You have prayed about this, and there is peace. You have sought wise counsel, and there is affirmation. You have exceeded the normal amount of due diligence to make an informed decision. Now is the time to decide.

Say yes or no, but do not procrastinate any longer. It is not fair to those who depend on you, nor is it fair to those who believe in you. The bottom line probably relates to trust. Can God be trusted to lead you through the implications of this decision? Can He handle the “what ifs?” The answer, of course, is yes. God will not lead you into a decision that is detrimental to His plan for your life. There will surely be bumps along the way. The bottom may fall out, but He is still faithful. It is better to be in a storm with Jesus, than on the calm shore without Him.

“What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways” (Job 22:28).

“No decision” is still a decision. If you continue to be indecisive, you have decided not to move forward. But you do not have to stand still. You can take this first step and then trust God with steps two and three. Do not become overwhelmed with what might happen tomorrow. Just remain faithful today. Do your best now and trust the Lord with later.

The same holds true for others stuck in indecision. They have strung you along, way beyond what is reasonable. It is responsible for you to give them a deadline. It is bad stewardship for you to linger too long around a dead-end deal. It may be time to move on and “knock the dust from your sandals” (Mark 6:11, KJV). God may very well be shutting the door because of another’s inability to decide. Do not see them as the enemy because of their indecision. This may be God’s protection, so be grateful for this divine delay.

But now move on with Christ in quiet confidence and bold creativity. Use another’s indecisiveness to propel yourself forward without them. God has decided what is best. Decide to believe this and trust Him with the results. A life mired in indecision is messy and going nowhere. A life marked by wise decisions is moving forward with their Heavenly Father’s help. Be a bold decision maker because you can. Align your decisions with His wisdom, for He has it all figured out. Get the facts. Review the truth. Get counsel. Pray. Then decide to decide. By faith and by the grace of God, decide. This is the best decision.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

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