I was speaking with someone a while ago about how the decisions we make in life determine where we end up. Looking back at my life, I can point to at least two decisions that I have made that changed the course of my life.
I believe God wants us to make decisions that will ensure we stay in His plan for our life. He says in Jeremiah 29:11, one of my favourite bible passages, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. However, the interesting thing is that God won’t force his plans on us. He expects us to depend on Him to make the right choices. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.
One instance that stands out for me in the bible about someone making a good, but not “God-based” decision was Lot. The bible says he made a fundamental decision about the direction his life should take based on his own personal assessment. Genesis 13:10-11 describes Lot’s decision-making process; “Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt…. So, Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east.” The story of Lot was a really sad one. He lost everything that was dear to him as a result of this decision.
However, one good thing is that, in Christ, all the wrong decisions we have made in the past don’t have to derail us from God’s plan for us. If we begin to trust and depend on God, now, he can get us back on track. Romans 8:28, says, ”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Have a great month ahead.
-Pastor Benson