Good idea or God idea?

Everything we do begins with a decision, and every day we make a multitude of them. Each decision brings with it good or bad consequences—consequences that will be compounded daily. If you don’t like where you are right now, it’s time to stop blaming others and recognize the part that your own choices have played.

Your destiny will be determined by choices you make today and, although you can’t go back and change your yesterdays, they influence your todays and tomorrows.  The God of all creation has planned a great life with a great ending for us, but our decisions can hinder those plans.

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God reveals the incredible power and privilege of choice we have been given and He encourages us to make the right choices. But He also warns us of the serious consequences of making wrong choices.

The responsibility of having God’s awesome plans fulfilled in your life is squarely on your shoulders and no one else’s. Here are some obstacles you should avoid.

1. People’s opinions probably influence our choices more than anything else. We make decisions (consciously or subconsciously) to obtain their acceptance. Know that you are extremely valuable and special in God’s sight. Stop trying to be a cheap copy of a great original! When God made you, He threw away the mold. Low self-esteem will directly influence the choices you make. Spend time with God and let Him reveal your true identity—the one He gave you.

2. Faulty motives like attention-getting, self-gain, ego and pride also influence our decisions. Ask God to search your heart and reveal the reasons behind your decisions. Galatians 6:8 says, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” We should use our God-given freedom to make decisions that will advance His kingdom—not our own.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Will the decision I’m about to make promote God and His agenda or me and my agenda?

• Will God receive all the glory from the decision I’m about to make?

• Will this decision focus the attention on God or me?

3. Money issues affect a lot of our decisions. We can easily be blinded by the power money holds over us. Mark 6:24 says “You cannot serve God and mammon.” Money can be a huge factor in deciding who we hang out with (or not); who we will and won’t serve; who we will or won’t go the extra mile for. We become a “respecter of persons” based on how people can benefit us.

4. Ethnic, family and religious traditions, prejudice and faulty beliefs also influence us more than we realize. Our choices are so critical to our destiny! It’s a good idea to take time before jumping into anything. Think it through and invite God into the process. Ask Him to reveal to you whether it’s a God decision or just a good one!

Your life’s destiny depends on making right choices. So today, right now, make a quality decision to start making great decisions.

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