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Many times in my life, I have had to make decisions
“in the dark” that would affect not only myself but my loved ones as
well. Decisions about where
I was going to work, where we were going to live, which church we would
attend when we got there and many other major decisions-all the while
hoping and praying that I was remaining in God’s will. When you and I are
making a decision "in the dark," we can test our options in
four ways that will help to assure us that our decision is in the center
of God's will. The four indicators that I use to determine God's will in
making a decision are:
1. The confirmation of God's Word
2. My inner conviction
3. Practical circumstances
4. The counsel of godly, mature Christian friends
In Acts 10, Peter made a major decision that has affected
the Church to this day. In Acts 11, Peter explained his decision to the
church leaders in Jerusalem.
In order to step out in faith, confident that your
decision is in God's will, at least three of the four indicators should
be positive.
Sometimes, practical circumstances don't seem to
line up. God may be testing you, requiring you to take a step of faith
before things work out. When the children of Israel crossed the Jordan
River, they had to get their feet wet before the waters rolled back (Joshua
3:15-16). But if God closes the door, you cannot force it open
(Revelation 3:7), so don't try to manipulate circumstances to make your
decision work.
At other times, you may be unable to discern your
inner conviction, or you may not feel strongly one way or another about a
specific direction. But as you begin to walk by faith, increasingly you
should have a deep inner confidence that your decision is of God.
It may be that your Christian friends disagree with
your decision. Or you may not know several godly people to whom you can
go for wise counsel. As a result, this indicator will not line up.
However, as you begin to follow through on your decision, mature
Christians should confirm it.
"When you and I are making a decision 'in the
dark,' we also can line up the indicators that assure us our decision is
in the center of God's will."
When one of the above indicators is missing, it is
still possible to step out in faith. But the one indicator that is
indispensable is the confirmation of God's Word. You must have it -- no
exceptions. God's Word can come to you in various ways: through your
daily devotions or Bible study, through a sermon, through a verse that
comes to mind while praying, or through searching the Scriptures
specifically for it. But in order to be assured that your decision is in
God's will, you must have His Word to confirm it.
I can testify from years of experience (looking back
at successes and failures) that these indicators will work. The biggest
problem I have had is releasing my desires and yielding to God's desire
when the indicators don't line up. This becomes easier as our faith
grows. Are your indicators in line? If so, praise God! You can step out
in faith, asking and trusting God to shut the door if for some reason you
have misread His direction. He has promised to guide the meek -- those
who have no agendas of their own but simply desire to walk in the center
of His will (Psalm 25:9).
Some other scriptures that I lean on when I am
seeking God's Will in my life are:
Matt 6:25-30
Eph 6:10-18
1 Jn 2:15-17
1 Cor 10:13
James 1:2-4
2 Cor 12:9-10
Phil 4:13
Heb 13:5
Remember to always keep your focus on God! (Prov
3:5)
One of my favorite movies of all time is "Out
of Africa" starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. In the movie Meryl
Streep's character, Karen Blixen, makes a very profound statement that I
have never forgotten. She says "Perhaps he knew as I did not that
the world was made round so we don't see too far down the road."
There is so much truth in that statement because if we knew what lay
ahead, what would be the purpose of faith? ...just a thought....
Curtis
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