“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving”. Oliver Windell Holmes, Sr.
“I’m glad for the Bible. It gives me a chance to see how other people chose…and the results. There’s the contrast between Abraham’s choice and Lot’s choice before Sodom. There’s Moses’ choice of his fellows rather than the riches of Egypt. There’s Joseph’s choice in the prison house of Potiphar, and Daniel’s choice of the king’s vegetables rather than his meats. Paul paid a glorious price when he chose his lot with the early Christians. Christ made marvelous choices when he set his face toward Jerusalem, at the Garden of Gethsemane, and in the Judgment Hall.
Adam’s choice cost him Eden; Esau’s, his birthright; Achan’s his life; Lot’s, his home and herds; Absalom’s, his father’s throne; Saul’s, his kingdom; the rich young ruler, the companionship of Christ. Judas lost his apostleship; Demas, his discipleship. Pilate, Agrippa, and Felix chose wrong and missed immortality. Ananias’ choice fooled no one but himself. Caleb and Joshua chose well, while Jonah’s first choice nearly shipwrecked himself and the crew….” Robert G. Lee
As mothers, if asked how do we build the character into our children that is necessary for them to make right choices, would our answer prove we know how to choose the things that matter most?
“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” William Jennings Bryan
Life is a continuous series of choices determined by our wise or unwise decisions. The Bible gives us a pragmatic biblical principle that teaches us that we reap a life with purpose and blessing, if we sow wise choices. We reap what we sow… The opposite is also true…if we sow unwise choices we will reap the consequence of destruction on our heritage and ourselves…
What are you sowing? What is the pattern of your life?
Decisiveness is the ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God. We build decisiveness when we refuse to reconsider or rationalize a decision that we already know in our spirit is the right choice! “Rationalization is
allowing my mind to find reasons to excuse what my spirit knows is wrong.” Romans 2: 21
Are you a wise decision-maker?
The opposite of decisiveness is double-mindedness. The mother who thinks she can ride the invisible and non-existent fence is fooling herself. There is no middle or neutral ground. “…That woman (man) should not think she (he) will receive anything from the Lord; she (he) is double-minded, unstable in all she (he) does”! James 1: 8
I have never been the fastest decision-maker, but I have a treasured friend who makes me look like the “Road Runner”! She meticulously finds every pro and con to every decision. Detailing its purpose, longevity, functionality, and preference in comparison to a multitude of other possibilities. I, frankly, am honored I made the cut and she has chosen me for one of her closest friends for almost 40 years! There is one area of her life, however, where she has absolutely no difficulty in making a decision and consistently makes the right one. Her secret…she is bent on seeking the will of God, above all else, disregarding her own will! She is single-minded!
Meet my single-minded friend, Nancy Sanche
When facing a decision, check your facts, seek wise counsel and make sure your goals are clearly defined. But most importantly, make sure that Matt. 6:33 is in play first…” Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (His Will!) and all these things will be added unto you”.
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
