“Decisions”

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust then wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. Proverbs 16:3 AMPC

We make decisions every waking moment of every day. But there are some that just exhaust the life out of us — ones that we procrastinate over, deliberate and pour hours of concentrated thought into, put aside hoping they’ll go away or somehow magically fade into the sunset. Some decisions we try to offload onto others hoping they will take on the burden and solve our issues. All of our decisions also impact others — and that’s where we can really make a mess of things.

Our Scripture verse here gives us guidance in making those life-impacting decisions. GOD’S Word says to commit and trust them entirely to Him — sounds good to me! But immediately following that directive is our requirement to understand that He will transform our way of thinking to align with His — this is the key to understanding where the real success and victory is found.

Whenever I have what I consider to be a ‘tough’ decision, I turn to look at what some of the heroes of the Bible did while going through theirs — and I must say, it tends to reduce the ‘magnitude’ of my seemingly difficult time in space.

Once such heroine I’ve examined is Ruth. A widow from Moab, who is instructed by her mother-in-law to return home to her Gentile nation and pagan gods to start her life over. It appears that Ruth did not yet have any children, so it’s possible that she was still very young and very capable of a new family. But there was something that transformed her from the inside out — something that ‘compelled’ her to thirst after the One True GOD whom she obviously experienced from and in her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth was drawn towards the GOD of Israel as a result of living with Naomi, to the point that she casted aside the thought of remarrying and having a family. Ruth wanted more of Naomi’s GOD.

Ruth’s priorities were realigned to the Will of GOD. It was her choice — she willing and freely made the decision to walk after this GOD Whom she had barely known — her encounters were only of what she saw in this woman, Naomi, and her lifestyle and demeanor. But it was enough for Ruth to say ‘no’ to what the world had to offer her and to say ‘yes’ to a life of faith — not knowing what she would have coming to her, nor where her journey would lead her.

What is astonishing to me are all of the poignant activities that occur within the first chapter of the Book of Ruth. One such occasion is when Naomi tells both of her daughter-in-laws to return to their biological families after their husbands had died. The two young women both made their decisions almost instantaneously, even though their decisions were worlds apart. Orpah says ‘yes’ to returning to her life in pagan Moab because maybe the tug on her heart to see familiar faces and visit old places feels like ‘comfort’ and might be the answer to starting life all over again. The ‘feeling of normalcy’ and things to which she was accustomed just may have pushed her over and caused her to give in to what looked more appealing and satisfying.

Ever have that experience? Where it feels safer to choose what you know from your past and what others have persuaded you to accept, rather than what GOD has whispered to you in your spirit?

Soul Food for Tho’t: What were the end results of your decision? Knowing what you now know, how would you proceed today given the same situation? Why?

Ruth, on the other hand, literally begs Naomi to allow her to accompany her back to Bethlehem. Ruth goes as far as pledging her life to staying with Naomi for the rest of her life. Whatever Ruth experienced with Naomi throughout those ten years, made such an indelible impression upon her that she was utterly convinced that it was far more valuable than another marriage, returning to her biological family or living in the country of her ancestry and culture. This was a decision of great faith and sacrifice — and Ruth was ready to own it.

What decisions are weighing heavily on your heart tonight, Girlfriend? How long have you been pouring over them? What are the circumstances and desired results of your decisions? Who else will be affected by your decisions?

Soul Food for Tho’t: Have to taken your decisions to The Lord in earnest and authentic prayer? What Scripture verses are you clinging to for this/these decisions?Have you shared your decisions with another Believer and asked her to agree with you in prayer?

He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty. He will say to the Eternal, “My shelter, my mighty fortress my God, I place all my trust in You.” Psalm 91:1-2 The Voice

I appreciate this translation as it speaks of the one who ‘runs into’ (taking refuge) the protection (shelter) of GOD Himself will be safely covered because GOD provides Himself as a stronghold (fortress) and He promises to be faithful to caring for me and all my needs. That includes all of my decisions.

But the condition to being protected is having a genuine and personal relationship with the One Who wants to protect and provide for you. If you have not come to the realization that GOD has already extended the invitation to you through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, I call on you at this moment to respond to Him as your heart beats faster reading this message. This is your moment to begin anew, as Ruth did when all had fallen apart around her and she had but one decision to make — and it changed her world in ways unimagined.

That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. Hebrews 3:7-8 NLT

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the first step of faith. Confessing your sins to Him and turning away from them (repentance requires us to cease and never return to that lifestyle) in honesty and transparency opens that door which you hear Him knocking upon (the door to your heart). Then immediately seek a house of worship where Biblical truths and regular fellowship are foundational. You need not look far — pray for The Holy Spirit to bring others into your life to surround you with love and encouragement.

Sister, if you have had a relationship with Jesus, but maybe it’s been more of wandering in the wilderness for you, I pray that you will take this moment to allow the Holy Spirit to renew, refresh and revitalize your love relationship with your Savior. Sometimes when it feels like we are walking alone or GOD appears to be silent, it is us who are either not taking the time to listen or we have not sat still long enough to recognize He has been waiting for us to commune (speak) with Him as in those former days.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties all your worries all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and care about your watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMPC

This Scripture verse in this translation warms my heart and gives me the confidence that not only is GOD capable of taking charge of my needs — emotional, physical and spiritual — but He cares for me with a deep affection and is mindful of everything that happens to me. This is evidence of a personal and loving relationship with Him.

The decision to follow after Jesus Christ will far outweigh whatever decisions you have been carrying around. In fact, fulfillment of the one will help you work through the other. Becoming a Christian will not guarantee you a worry-free lifestyle. But it will open up the opportunity to have a personal and thriving (and satisfying) relationship with the One Who is desiring to take care of you and your decisions.

I pray that you will start at the beginning tonight, my Friend, and make certain you know your Savior loves you and beckons you. Then it is my heartfelt desire that you will cast all of your decisions (on a moment-by-moment basis) at His Feet and confidently trust Him for the right answers at the right times. That is faith.

My heart aches for the woman who feels that she walks this earth alone. Like Ruth, you can make the decision to allow GOD to turn it all around for you — but it begins with you.

Lastly, whatever decisions are keeping you up at night, I ask the Lord to provide you with His Best for resolving, making whole, restoring, renewing, and establishing — all of it.

You are invited to share prayer requests and praise reports — would love to hear from you.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary