“Make the Next Right Decision”
It’s a saying that a friend often leaves my presence with, when I’m uncertain what to do in a situation. And it’s good advice. Biting off the whole chunk of the decision cannot be done in a second, minute, or hour–so all I have control over is responding correctly to the piece right in front of me, which gets me headed in the right direction for the bigger picture-solution. That’s the cool part about having a new day: it’s 24 hours to start over and take control of one’s destiny–not be a victim and let life happen to us. And it’s an opportunity to yield ultimate control of the day to the One Who can drive our life way better than we can, and Who can give us the power to “make the next right decision.”
Getting to Forgiveness
“Oh yes, I know this tension that you speak of. We’re in the palm of a hand making a fist. It’d be better for one of us to speak up, but we’d prefer to pretend it does not exist….Cause we’re all guilty of the same things…And I know I’ve been forgiven and I just hope you can forgive me too.” –Forgiven (Reliant K)
I surely don’t like the tension that comes when someone is at odds with me, a rift that is affecting the relationship. No one brings it up, because it’ll be painful to deal with. But only through humbling one’s self and addressing the issue can that pressure be relieved, and a solution can be braistormed. And only through forgiveness can the relationship be restored. I’m sure glad that because of God’s act of reconciling us to Himself by sending Jesus to pay the price for my sin that I couldn’t pay, I stand forgiven in His sight this day. That is usually the driver for pursuing a reconciliation attempt when things are strained with fellow sojourners on this planet.
Say, “Please”
Numbers 14:8-9 “If God is pleased with us, He will lead us into that Land…Just don’t rebel against God! And don’t be afraid of those people…God is on our side.”
I need a “pleaser” evaluation once in a while. Oftentimes, I choose to please another human being out of fear or obligation, basically not for a great motive. But it seems obvious that there is only One Person Who I need to please: the God Who has control of my life, with abundant blessings ready to pour out on me, Who is FOR me!
Be With vs. Talk At
“Our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.”
Personally, I don’t have any spare pieces of my mind to give out! HA! But, seriously, I have been convicted lately to stop trying to give people advice, especially those who are suffering or who have critical decisions to make, and just be with them as they wrestle through it with God. Maybe my presence means more to them than my counsel. Maybe it’s the love they seek from a friend and fellow sojourner; usually they already know what they must do. You know, people aren’t going to take any advice anyways until they are ready to receive–so why force-feed others? Companionship and acceptance–those are things people have abundant shelf-life for.
Unclenching Fists to Open Hands
“Burn away my pride. Bring me to weakness until everything I hide behind is gone, and when I’m open wide with nothing left to cling to, only You are there to lead me on.” –I’m Not Alright (Sanctus Real)
My pride and self-sufficiency stand up straight and tall each day that I let them; they are a mask for really knowing deep-down that I must be dependent on something much Greater than myself to make right choices and do what pleases God. Only when I’m humble, broken, weak in and of myself, unclenching my fistful of what I depend on here on earth, can I truly reach out and embrace the Power at my fingertips, Who will guide me so much better than I could as life-driver. May I take the masks off voluntarily so You don’t have to lovingly knock them off to see You.