Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Decision Making By the Book, Part 13 of 20

TEXT: Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. [NKJv ]FELT NEED: I find it is really hard to settle down and make decisions. BIG IDEA: Love is the motive key to fulfilling God's will.

Decision-making can be very difficult. In fact, for some of us, it can be almost impossible. We're afraid of decisions, and we back away from them for two reasons:

1. One reason for our reluctance to make decisions is that we're aware of the consequences.

The 1981 film Chariots of Fire focused on decisions and their consequences. Eric Liddell, a Scottish Presbyterian minister and a runner in the 1924 Olympics [in Colombes, France, 2 blocks from our apartment!], was forced to choose between competing for the gold or refusing to run on the Lord's Day. He decided for God. In one of the film's decisive scenes, Harold Abrahams, a Jewish athlete friend, asked Liddell, "Do you have any regrets?" Liddell responded, "Regrets, yes. Doubts, no."

Sometimes we shy away from making such decisions, unsure we can handle the regrets.

2. Often we face decisions with uncertain consequences. Not knowing how things will turn out, we're reluctant to decide.

Some people decide not to decide. They stand immobilized at the point of decision, controlled by circumstances, abdicating all responsibility.

Decision-making can be agonizing. Following God's principles for making decisions may make them clearer, but the consequences play still be hard, and the uncertainty may continue to be great.