Secret of Decision

secret of decision

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Dear Ones:

Someone once said "God never made a man who could make a right decision, but made all men capable of making a decision and then get busy making it right". Think about that! There is really no such thing as a right decision but rather how we execute and complete the course of action we set in motion when we made that decision. We then look back and assign a label to the decision depending on the outcome of our following through on the direction or actions of that decision.

Recently the daughter of a friend decided to end her life just before her 15th birthday. Regardless of the outcome this is one of those cases where it is always a bad decision because if it is successful it cannot be changed. It is a permanent decision with no possibility of making it right.

Consider this; Jeremiah was a young man and the Lord God came to him:

Jeremiah 1:5-10
"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."
[6] "O Sovereign Lord," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!"
[7] "Don't say that," the Lord replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. [8] And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!"
[9] Then the Lord touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth! [10] Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build others up and plant them." (NLT)

God told Jeremiah that he had been ordained before he was born and even more important than that God knew Jeremiah before God formed him in the womb. Think about it … before Jeremiah's mother and father crowned their love for one another with a climax, God knew Jeremiah. In addition God says “I formed you in the womb.” Mom and dad were just the instruments but it was God's plan and God's doing.

Now look at verses 9 and 10. God put His words in Jeremiah's mouth and He set him over nations and kingdoms to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant. Who can say today what God will use you for tomorrow or 20, 30, 40 or 60 years from today? Who can say you will not make a difference in the world? Who can say today you were not chosen to be the parents of the next world leader or the doctor who saves the life of the next world leader? Who can say today that you are not going to experience greater joy and happiness than you have ever known?

Just suppose what would have happened if one or both the young women in the first chapter of Luke had decided to end their lives or if my mom had done so. I would not be here in front of my computer prayerfully considering these thoughts or sharing them with you. Am I so pious as to think these are Gods thoughts? No! But I know me and I know they are not mine. I am just the instrument that God is using to bring them to you and you are where you are reading these words today because God brought you to them or them to you for a reason.

Matthew 1:20-25 (NLT)
As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. [21] And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." [22] All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:

[23] "Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and he will be called Immanuel
(meaning, God is with us)."

[24] When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, [25] but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

I thank God that all the people in the story above did not choose to give up and end it all. When it comes to the children we conceive, it is no longer about us .. it is about them. We have a responsibility to see to it that the child becomes everything God would want him or her to be. We are to guide them to become the best "them" they can be. We are to help them become prepared to live the life the way they were envisioned by God to live. We are not to make them who they are to be but we are to equip them to find who they are to be. The greatest joy I have in this life is watching my children and grand-children become who they are becoming. I cannot imagine what my children and grandchildren will accomplish and see accomplished in their life time. As I consider the possibilities I some how regret that I will not get to see the most notable of their victories. Far too often people miss knowing their children and grandchildren as a result of a decision make in the unknowing years of their youth.

1 Peter 1:20-25 (NLT)
God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this for you.
[21] Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God. [22] Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts.
[23] For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. [24] As the prophet says,

"People are like grass that dies away;
their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers.
The grass withers,
and the flowers fall away.
[25] But the word of the Lord will last forever."

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

Can any of us say today that the child in the womb has little or no importance? Look at verse 20. “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, ..” Think of it!!! Before the foundation of the world! Thousands of years ago God planned for this child and I am so wise that I can decide today that God made a mistake? Can you be sure you know best?

It is easy for me to say what pain you should endure for I am just a man and will never know the things you are going through. But I am a father who still regrets the mistakes I made with my children and regrets the moments I missed with my children in my foolish youth. I can only say to you this is one decision you cannot reverse 10, 20 or 30 years form now. Do not ever make an irreversible decision but rather encourage your mind and body to go into survival mode.

Hagar was distraught and was content to die and let her child die in Genesis 21:19 Then God opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well. She immediately filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. (NLT) God showed her a way out of her trouble and He will show you a way out if you will just cry out to Him.

In Christ

Chuck

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