What to Do
Have you ever made a decision only to wish you'd chosen B instead of A?
Brett Favre had been the Green Bay Packers’ star quarterback for 16 seasons until this past March 3, when Favre told Packers coach Mike McCarthy that he was going to retire because he could not “commit 100 percent” to football. The Packers announced Favre’s decision the next day.
By March 26 Favre was having second thoughts and, in a meeting with the Packers, was offered his old job back. On March 29, however, Favre called McCarthy to say thanks but no thanks. In May, while having lunch with Packers general manager Ted Thompson, Favre wondered aloud if he had made the right decision. In June, Favre told McCarthy, he either wanted to return to the Packers or play for another team.
Last week Favre said that he was now 100 percent committed to football. He said that the team had pressured him into the retirement decision.
Meanwhile, Packers management, coaches, players, and fans wonder if Favre would play again for the Packers – or if he should play again for the Packers and, if so, what role he’d fill.
Decisions. Decisions.
Have you ever made a decision only to wish you’d chosen B instead of A? Or have you ever been frustrated with someone who can’t make up her mind? Humans with limited knowledge and sometimes sinful motives don’t always make the right decisions, the best decisions, or a decision at all.
But nowhere in the Bible does it say, “You made your bed, now lie in it.” Rather, God offers gracious reassurance to the stumbling and bumbling among us who wonder if we made the right choice or who hem and haw afraid of making a choice. We say to our all-knowing and ever-present God, “If I rise on the wings of the dawn you are there, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:9,10).
As a Christian you can make a choice that puts you on either end of the spectrum, it doesn’t matter. You can choose the job in New York or L.A., you can retire or go back to work, you can remain single or get married … God will guide you through it. His right hand (a symbol of power and stability) will make sure you are blessed whatever you decide.
Better yet, consider God’s decisions. They’re always perfect, because he is perfect. Before he decided that the sky should be blue he decided to love you and predestine you for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. He decided to have mercy on Adam and Eve instead of starting over with a brand new civilization after they sinned. He decided to come to this earth not as Judge but as Savior. He decided to submit to cruelty and condemnation on the cross for all sinners. He decided to shape your nose and knees just so, and to bring you into this world at the very minute he selected. He decides his answers to your prayers – either, “yes, exactly, right now,” or “yes, exactly, but you’ll have to wait,” or “yes, but I’m going to make some adjustments, or “no, I don’t think that’s good for you.” Perfect decisions!
And don’t worry. As far as all the decisions God makes on your behalf, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill” (Numbers 23:19)?
Our decisions may not always be right, but we trust our lives to a God who always is.
PRAYER: When I don’t know what to do, Lord, reassure me that any Christian decision I make has your support and guidance. Give me a spirit of understanding and patience with those who can’t make a decision, or choose what I would not. In your mercy, choose to make decisions about me based on the gracious sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.