decisions: it's about the heart.

crystal clear...

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This life is full of decisions. Some are small, trivial even. Some are huge. Impactful. Lasting. Some decisions require planning, wisdom, discernment. They require forethought toward the consequence…because no matter the size of the choice, every one of them has some outcome. Today I am considering decisions, which lead me to Solomon and the discernment he sought.

Solomon was the son of King David. Wow, what a lineage right?! He had quite the family name to hang his hat on, take confidence in. But fascinating about Solomon was that he did not only rely on that reputation to sustain him while he skated through life- he sought wisdom, discernment in making right decisions. Solomon desired to know right from wrong and Gods desires over his own, not the reasons behind them. While Solomon had some faults that would later be a downfall, when he shined, he shined big. Just read a Proverb, or Ecclesiastes.

My husband and I are currently seeking discernment in a pretty hefty decision, as maybe some of you are. Maybe you are deciding wether to sell or buy a home, change jobs, or send the kids to private school. Maybe you're considering ending a broken relationship or deciding which medical treatment might give your diagnosis a fighting chance. Those are all pretty big curves in the road to negotiate. If we are to take a lesson from Solomon, we will first seek wisdom and discernment from God in all matters. That’s where we must start. But what if the answers don’t become clear? What if you worry it’s the wrong answer? I don’t know…I have no insight to those tiring questions. All I can do is turn to truth.

The first step for us is to steady the constant, dizzying motion of this life. We have to tune out the world, and turn down our fleshly desires. I remember camping with my family as a little girl and standing in a stream near our campsite…looking for pretty rocks I could collect from the river bottom. When I hastily moved about and kicked my feet, the water got murky and I could not see anything under the surface. Instead, I had to be still, wait for the water to settle, and then the bottom became crystal clear. So it goes with decision making.

Once we get to that crystal clear place, we can listen for His leading.

That means quieting our shifty ‘feelings’ and giving our dilemmas to Him. Praying for wisdom and discernment. Asking for direction, for the next right move. And then we have to go even deeper and check the pulse of our hearts intentions. What is the motivation for my desired outcome? What is the real reason I am hoping God will see things the way I do? Are my decisions being clouded by my emotions? Yeah, this is the place where God speaks the loudest…when I truly let Him examine my heart and purify the most selfish yet vulnerable places. And sometimes this means I need to forfeit a win.

All a person’s ways to right to him, but the Lord weighs motives. Proverbs 16:2

Yes y’all, God sees all, including our heart. He tries our spirit. So we have to check ourselves- are we seeking things that bring us glory? Are we searching for the laziest path with the least risk? Are we wanting to stay comfortable? Are we looking for fleeting financial gain to acquire more fleeting possessions? Will the desired outcome improve your appearance, or make your life look attractive to others? And most importantly, does what I am about to decide, stand up to His word? Remember, Gods will for us will never go against His own word…the Bible is the ultimate litmus test.

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double edged

sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow.

It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4: 12

Hopefully you and I both will stay true to the mission of our lives as Christians, as Christ followers. That means following God’s desired outcome and trusting it is the best outcome. That also means possibly forfeiting being comfortable, or safe, or preserved, according to our own standards. After all, decisions that require discernment, are certainly vulnerable to uncomfortable outcomes. Being wise in choosing means taking the appropriate time to be still, wait, and use discretion. Because important things, decided hastily, can bring undesired results.

Caution is a fruit of wisdom. Hastiness can be wicked.

In the end, the point is this: when faced with weighty choices, pause to pray first, then submit your options to him. Pray for wisdom and discernment that break clear of all your murky feelings. Seek His will, not yours. Then with your whole heart, long for God to be glorified, and the rest will fall in place. Seek an answer that lines up with holy instructions, and the right way forward will be revealed. Flee selfish desires or they will be a hazard that causes the water to remain clouded. Take heart that if you align your motives and subsequent actions with what you know to be Gods truth, then the decision will not be wrong. And sometimes there are more than one right decision. You can confidently move forward…and actually reach under the water and grab the treasure.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Be encouraged my friends, big decisions are never too big for our God. We cannot thwart His plans by our choices, which should give us great peace.