The Best Decisions

I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep. I had a decision to make.  Do I pray, listen to podcasts, or do I try and find a lame TV show so that I could try and fall back asleep?  I opted for podcasts and listened to some great messages about influencing our culture.  It was still dark outside. I could see a glimmer of sunrise, so I decided to grab a jacket and take our dog for a walk.  

As I walked, I pondered about strategy for loving and reaching our culture, fulfilling purpose and changing the world (I know…pretty intense for a sunrise stroll!) and then instead of ANOTHER podcast, I thought it best that I just listen to some music.  The first song that came on immediately touched my heart.  

When you’re sad and lonely, and you need a helping hand…and nothing, nothing is going right.  Close your eyes and think of me, and soon I will be there.  To brighten up even your darkest night.  You just call on my name and you know, wherever I am, I’ll come running to see you again. Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you’ve got to do is call, and I’ll be there…you’ve got a friend. 

I immediately shed a tear.  I wasn’t exactly sad or lonely, but all that thinking about strategy was starting to overwhelm me.  So, knowing God as my friend was instant-perspective.  Because that is my most important thing.  What a friend we have in Jesus.  I am a friend of God.  First and foremost, we have friendship with God…we have moment-by-moment conversation with The One who loves us, made us and knows absolutely everything.  When this is my goal…to sprint towards Him…to know Him…to trust Him with this day…to cherish the reality of His presence, I truly believe all that strategy and world changing happens effortlessly, naturally and effectively.  

“There’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed (Philippians 3:13-14 The Voice).

We all make countless decisions every single day.  Some are automatic, some are intentional, but the best decisions are made from a place of peace. And there is so much peace in knowing the depth of our friendship with God.  

Bob and I have an agreement to never make decisions from a place of pressure.  The question we ask is, “What is the most loving thing we can do for every person involved?”  

When peace and love are part of our decisions, it invites God’s presence.  Then sometimes we look back and think, “Did we make a mistake?  Could we have made a better choice?”  Maybe!  But Proverbs is so comforting when it says, “Man’s plans are many, but God’s purposes prevail”.  In essence, this means, no matter how many plans we make that don’t work (Plan A turns to Plan B, and they can sometimes go up to Plan Z!) But God will never fail us.  He continues to redeem us and He guarantees that His purposes will prevail. 

Isn’t it great to know? You’ve got a friend….

Lots of Love in Jesus,
Audrey and Bob