Making a Major Decision is a Major Part of Life
The large clock on the wall controlled my emotions and my appetite. I should have been savoring every morsel of the fresh grilled fish on my plate. I should have been anticipating my favorite dessert in Florida, Key Lime Pie. I should have been. But I was not…
I should have been took a back seat to the planned conversation. At the strike of 9:30 pm on this particular Sunday evening in July we would be on a conference call with our family to share our wonderful news with them. We had made a major decision, and we wanted our adult children to be the first to know.
What we would do for the second half of our adult life was now a concrete commitment to join Athletes in Action International where Larry would become vice president of international ministries. Larry and I had been in a journey of waiting to discover God's sweet spot for us, and the waiting was over. Our enthusiasm for God’s Plan for the back nine had us pumped.
This decision was not made in a vacuum; no, quite the contrary. We were intentional with every step, and were prayerful over every opportunity.
Five Proven Principles for Making a Major Decision:
Making a Major Decision is a Major part of life. However, career choices and personal choices can be daunting. Below are my personal journal notes, which reflect our process.
Sunday, the 8th of July 2012, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Principles that are guiding us in this decision making process:
1. Passages: The Word of God
Life passages:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Mark 12:28-30
Matthew 28:16-20
Fresh Passages:
Proverbs 4:18 "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, growing brighter and brighter till the full light of day." (Personal notation: I've been amazed that this was the anchor verse God used in calling us away from Eastern Europe, and it has also been the anchor verse He has used to call us to AIA.)
Isaiah 26:7-8 "The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, You make the way of the righteous smooth. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws we wait for You; Your Name and Renown are the desires of our hearts."
Isaiah 28:26 "His God instructs him and teaches him the right way."
Isaiah 30:21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a Voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 49:6b "...that you may bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." (Great Commission in the Old Testament)
Isaiah 65:24 "Before they call I will answer. While they are still speaking I will hear."
Isaiah 66: 19 "They will proclaim My glory among the nations." (Great Commission in the Old Testament)
Jeremiah 6:16 "This is what the Lord says, Stand at the crossroads and look; Ask for the ancient paths; Ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
2. Priorities: Our personal life mission and vision: To have the chance to give every man, woman, boy and girl on planet earth at least one chance to hear the Good News that Jesus saves. Our spiritual DNA which embraces Leaders and Everyone.
3. Prayer: Ongoing prayer
• "Lord, lead us to what is best for Your glory and our good."
• Praying the prayer that always gets answered: "Thy will be done."
• Psalm 115:1 "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your Name be all the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness."
• Kathy Coleman's, my sister-in-law, encouragement: " We will be praying for wisdom, that you might see where God wants you, and that His Answer be obvious and not hard to discern."
• Karen Burroughs’, my friend, encouragement: "I am praying that it will be an easy decision because God will have so shaped your hearts' desires for the roles He leads you to."
4. People: Godly counsel from people we know and trust
Our adult children Godly friends Co-laborers Like-minded confidants Mentors: The Bill Lawrence Principle "Try the opportunity on like a suit of clothes. Walk around in it and see how it fits."
5. Providential Intervention: Divine Alignment of all the above
Journal entry ended.
There you have it. Confusion gives way to clarity and caution gives way to confidence. When we know what to do, we are set free to march ahead. Armed with eagerness and enthusiasm, we can embrace the next step in God’s will for our lives. I know we did.
Question: Is someone you know facing life at a crossroads? How will you advise them?
