Friday, March 29, 2024

Picture this: You’re standing at a car dealership, gazing at the shiny new model you’ve dreamed of for years. Every fiber of your being yearns to drive it off the lot and into your life. Yet, amidst the allure of the sleek exterior and luxurious features, a nagging doubt creeps in. Is this car truly in line with God’s plan for you? If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation torn between desire and divine guidance, you’re not alone. Decisions shape the course of our lives, yet sometimes, the path forward isn’t always obvious.

How do we discern God’s will when faced with uncertainty?

Deciding Amidst Ambiguity

The Bible is our authoritative guide of what is right and wrong. It is explicit about murder, cruelty, and our treatment of others. Some things are not necessarily moral decisions; rather, they are more specific to you and your situation. Such as what city to live in. Now, Jonah was told exactly where to go by God and he disobeyed. In your case, if God hasn’t told you where to go, you can assume He is leaving the choice to you. What do you do then? Perhaps it’s what career path to pursue, or even whether to expand your family. Maybe it’s whether to engage in a relationship with a wonderful person. These decisions aren’t explicitly outlined in the Bible, leaving us to grapple with uncertainty about God’s will.

Step 1: Seeking God

While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or indecisive, remember that divine wisdom is always available to guide you. Take the time to seek clarity through prayer and reflection, allowing God to illuminate the path forward. The Holy Spirit prompts us in subtle ways, nudging us in the right direction and offering insights that we might not have considered otherwise. It’s important to cultivate a spirit of receptivity and openness, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions.

As we seek alignment with God’s will, we must be willing to surrender our own desires and agendas. This requires humility and a willingness to relinquish our preconceived notions and expectations. God’s plan for us may not always align with our plans, but His wisdom surpasses our limited understanding. By surrendering to His divine plan, we open ourselves to blessings and opportunities we may not have imagined.

It’s crucial to remember that God desires good things for us. He wants us to thrive and live abundant lives filled with purpose and fulfillment. However, achieving this requires trust and faith in His divine guidance. Even when the path ahead seems uncertain, we can take comfort in knowing that God is leading us every step of the way.

Step 2: Putting It in Writing

If you feel God is leaving the option open for you to explore further, the next powerful step to bring clarity to the decision-making process is by putting it down on paper. Whether you jot it down in a journal or type it out on your computer, writing down the decision in exact terms can help untangle the knots of uncertainty. For instance, we might consider purchasing a larger house because our current one feels cramped with our growing family, or we’re contemplating accommodating our in-laws with an in-law suite. By articulating these specific reasons, we better understand the decision at hand, moving beyond vague notions like “selling our house” or “buying our first home.” This clarifies the real issue and decision. 

Step 3: Crafting Your Purpose Statement

Next, it’s time to articulate the underlying motivations behind your decision through a purpose statement. Think about why this decision matters to you and what you hope to achieve. In the above example, the house may have gotten too small. There are too many people in 3 bedrooms. Or not enough bathrooms, and there is now more conflict. There may be chaos in the kitchen or other rooms because there isn’t enough space to accommodate everyone. Part of the purpose may be to ensure everybody has greater peace and enjoyment in the home. 

In some cases, people move to shorten their commute to work. If you drive twenty minutes in either direction, that’s forty minutes a day, five times a week. That’s over three hours each week in gasoline and available time. For 50 weeks, that’s an extra 150 hours per year. If I’m purposeful about spending that extra time with a child or with my spouse, what a difference it can make. 

Step 4: Asking Clarifying Questions

Once you’ve crafted your purpose statement, it’s important to subject it to a series of clarifying questions. These questions serve as a litmus test, helping you assess the decision from other angles. A few you can ask are:

 What’s the ultimate objective of this decision?

How does it align with my values and beliefs? 

How does this fit with our end goal in the next year, decade, life?

What’s the background of this decision-making? 

What are our expectations of the outcome? 

How does it fit with our calling in life?

Another great question is, “Is there a small decision I can make that will help me gather more information?” If it’s a career shift, job shadowing someone may give you greater insight. By delving into these questions, you’ll understand more about the issue’s implications, repercussions, and deeper reasoning. 

Step 5: Asking ‘What Would Happen If’

Four more powerful questions to ask can be so illuminating. They are like the napalm for indecision. Ask yourself: 

“What would happen if I did it?”

“What would happen if I didn’t do it?”

“What wouldn’t happen if I did it?”

“What wouldn’t happen if I didn’t do it?”

These four different ways of looking at the situation can really lay out the path ahead. It shows the true cost when you are honest with yourself. What’s the cost of making the decision? And what’s the cost of not making the decision? 

While navigating decisions when God’s will isn’t clear can be challenging, it’s also an opportunity for growth and faith. Trust that as you align your choices with God’s will, you’ll find peace and direction amidst the uncertainty. Seeking divine guidance in decision-making is a journey of faith and surrender. Through prayer, attentiveness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to surrender to God’s will, we can navigate life’s complexities with confidence and clarity. By trusting in God’s wisdom and embracing His divine plan, we can find peace and fulfillment in every decision we make.

If your decision might require a move, contact us for a 15-minute clarity call. We could provide helpful facts and information specific to your situation. Perhaps that may point to a move, and perhaps it won’t. There may be ways to make your situation work within your zoning or space. Connect with us to find out. 613-860-4663 or together@dekkerteam.com.