Tag: decisions

3 Principles for Discerning God’s Will in Unprecedented Times

August 25, 2020 /

First, can we just agree that everyone except God is out of sync right now?

That includes me, and any kind of schedule for blog posting. I swing from thinking I’ll never post again because more words in your in-box may increase your feelings of stress, to feeling like we all may need to be reminded we’re not alone. Anyway, sorry for the inconsistency.

Decisions are hard in the best of times, but during a pandemic when conditions change day to day? Brutal!

Over and over we hear the word, “pivot” and we seek to re-imagine God-honoring choices in this time.

What’s one challenging situation you are facing that’s been made more complicated by the pandemic?

I’m grappling along with everyone else, but here are 3 of my go-to principles:

1.  Ask for wisdom.

Sometimes there is a clear, moral right and wrong answer, but often God’s will isn’t some ONE hidden secret and if you get it wrong it will be like a disaster scene out of Raiders of the Lost Ark. 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

Sometimes you just need to ask, “What would be the most pleasing choice to you, Lord?” and decide. I love what Luke writes when the apostles were making hard decisions for the young Jesus-following community:

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…

Acts 15:28

God didn’t speak through a megaphone, but the apostles prayed and listened and made the choice that seemed good. Nothing may feel totally clear to you, but you may need to prayerfully choose what seems like the best, God-honoring choice.

2. Seek unity.

Let’s defer to the people who feel most vulnerable. More than ever we need to extend grace and not be offended by others regarding Covid choices about jobs, education, parenting, travel, celebrations… The people around you (even family) have challenges you may not be aware of. We’re all doing our best.

If you are married, God won’t lead one of you to one conclusion and your spouse to another. Pray and listen until you are united – both on the same page.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:2-3

3.  Persevere. Just because it’s God’s will doesn’t mean it will be easy. (I know…Not exactly what you wanted to hear, right?)

 You may feel like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness in this season. But God grows His people most dramatically in the wilderness because we are forced to face our inadequacies and lean on Him.

Could it be that God is actually more concerned with our character than our comfort?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Which of these is the hardest for you? Which is the most helpful?

How Do You Make Decisions During a Time of Chaos?

March 30, 2020 /

John and I sit in our study, a cold metal gray Minnesota sky letting barely any light squeeze in. We swivel our comfy chairs towards each other, both with expressions of love, concern, and regret written on our faces regarding a hard decision we have to make.

We had rented a condo in Florida for the month of April, but don’t know if it is wise to go.

I know, I know…I see you rolling your eyes!

via GIPHY

Definitely a first world problem; not the life-and-death, or will-our-business-survive, or can-we-afford-our rent type!

This season has made us more acutely aware of the privilege of having choices and not feeling the desperation many feel.

As we pray and process this decision that would seem of little consequence to many, it strikes me that what guides us in this tiny thing, is relevant to many of the big decisions we face during this pandemic.

Daily we may be guided by the line many have quoted over the years, and most recently by Emily P. Freeman, “Do the next right thing.” but there are times when even that is unclear.

via GIPHY

So here’s what I did that might help you with other types of decisions:

  1. I started by making a list of pros and cons based on the facts that we knew.
  2. Then I made a list of questions – variables that might change, and if they did, would affect our decision.
  3. As a follower of Jesus this last thing was the most important. I asked: What does Scripture say about this? I wasn’t looking for a fear-driven decision, or the most fun, or comfortable decision, but the wisest and most pleasing to God.

Here are some verses that guided me:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

james 1:5-6

This is not always my first instinct, and I’m also inclined to throw up a prayer and then not stop and be still before rushing forward in my own thinking.

This is a time when it’s important to be guided by facts and advice from experts, but we are bombarded with information that’s changing daily (and we have more time to read it too!) God is the ultimate source of all wisdom.

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live  and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…

deuteronomy 30:19-20

What does “choosing life” look like not just for me, but for my family and community and world?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

There is a greater awareness in this season, that our decisions don’t just impact us, but may affect others, more vulnerable than we are.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13:1

Romans 13 was pertinent because while we were praying about this, our governor issued a “shelter-in-place” order.

via GIPHY

In the end, it still wasn’t totally clear to us. John leaned one way, and I leaned the other. We both truly wanted to adhere to Ephesians 5.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21

There’s an additional element that influenced me that may seem odd since we can’t meet physically. I was motivated by the fact that my people are here in MN.

The community I’m closest to and want to serve in any way I can is here. Even if that just means waving from a distance to a mama and toddler, or participating in a birthday car parade, or leaving a wiped down plant on someone’s doorstep, it’s something.

So, we say, along with Peter, It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…(Acts 15:28) to stay home. We will not be going to FL.

What are some hard decisions you’ve had to make? How have you been creative during this season?

An Open Letter: 5 Things to Consider When Seeking God’s Direction

April 13, 2015 /

Dear M&A,

It’s hard to believe you’re coming up on your second anniversary!  In those short years you’ve faced many hard decisions, huge change, and intense challenges. Now, at the end of grad school, you face some more. More open doors and some that may shut. All with their own set of consequences.

IMG_6208

I’m writing you this now because Dad and I have been where you are. And I’m writing it here because you’re not alone. Many who read this are trying to discern God’s will – trying to decide:

  • Should I quit this job?
  • Move to this place?
  • Marry this person?
  • Break up with that person?
  • Start a graduate degree?
  • Take this risk?

So today I want to tell you about a time early in our marriage when we were trying to discern God’s will. We felt like we had outgrown the setting we were in and were prompted to open ourselves to a move. We prayed, sought counsel, and explored options.  In the end Dad received a call to a large church across the country in a place where we knew no one. In a place with a different pace of life, different culture, and different values.

In both the process of deciding, and the reality of living the following two years, I think we learned some things about God and His ways. I’d love to share some of our lessons, just as I’d love to hear what you are learning in this season. Continue reading

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