How to Make Faithful & Spiritually Informed Decisions // M-Note 9.5.26

Lately, several people have come to me about decisions they are struggling with. Many Christians wrestle with how to apply their faith to everyday life. How do we make faithful and spiritually informed decisions? It isn’t an easy question, and for that reason, many people don’t invite God in to everyday, seemingly non-spiritual choices they make.
 
For example, how many of you prayed and asked for God’s wisdom before buying a car, a house, or going on a vacation? Do you consult with God before over-committing your kids to activities, deciding how to use your retirement, or choosing a place to live? Is God ever part of the conversation when you decide what job to take, when to leave, and how to use the money you earn? For most of us, the answer is, “not often.”
 
I understand that and yet, scripture encourages us to think about the decisions we make through a lens of faith. When people ask me some version of the question, “what would God want me to do?” the answer is rarely straightforward. But there are some criteria I suggest to people who want to make faithful decisions in their everyday life.
 
First, what does scripture say about the choice you are making? Rarely does the bible directly talk about a decision but the Bible encourages us away from selfishness, towards generosity, and regularly reminds us that faith is easy to lose the more stuff you acquire. Secondly, when (or if) you pray about it, what do you sense God telling you to do. Is there a nudge you are feeling in a certain direction? Thirdly, have you gotten the perspective of people who love you and love God? What do they say about this decision? Finally, have you thought about the natural consequences of your decision? Will it lead you closer to Christ and the church or make that commitment more difficult?
 
While it isn’t mathematical, this way of making decisions slows us down, invites God into our choices, and makes the direction we go more intentional. So add it up. When you answer these questions, what direction do they point you in? If two or three of them are cautioning you to reconsider the decision, stop, take your time, proceed with caution (or don’t proceed at all). If three or four of them are giving you green lights to move forward, then, despite your fears, maybe it is time to make a move.
 
Many of you are in a season where you are making a lot of decisions – from how to use your money, what job to take, who to call friends, and how to use your gifts. We are making decisions about major purchases and how to parent our kids. I urge you to think about all of these decisions, no matter how mundane, through a lens of faith. Invite God to help shape the choices you make. It is one of the best ways to allow God to work in every area of your life.
 
I hope you make GOOD decisions this holiday weekend! I will see you on Sunday.  

Matt
 
P.S. September marks the 20th anniversary of The Gathering’s first worship service. Next Sunday, September 13, we will begin a 3-week celebration series of looking back at what God has done, celebrating what God is doing, and anticipate what God wants to do through The Gathering in the future. This is the best time to invite a friend to see who we are, to realize that churches aren’t all the same, and to be a part of the church we are becoming.