Most Importantly…
Most importantly, will you be found in peace?
Every day, I have conversations with myself and others about decisions to be made. We ask ourselves repeatedly, What is wisdom here? How shall I make this decision? How do I know if I am making the right decision? What criteria should be most important to me?
I have learned to take God at His Word, let my emotions fan only in the background, and not let them make too much noise. We are to be found in peace by Christ and others.
When Jesus Christ returns, we will stand accountable before Him as God, and He will look for those who are found in peace.
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace,…” 2 Peter 3:14 NKJV.
We also know that “He Himself is our peace,…” Ephesians 2:14.
He tells us to use His peace as the winning card for all decision-making. Jesus Christ is The Prince of Peace:
“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as an umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 (Amplified Classic).
We are called to let peace be the final umpire in our lives, calling the plays in or out on our daily paths.
More money, better weather, a scenic location, more responsibility, a larger house, or a different (perhaps perceived as better) school district are not to call the shots in our lives in or out, BUT the peace of God in our hearts. Only God sees ahead on the path that He has designed for us from before the foundation of the world. Only He knows all that awaits with that one decision. It is always His nature to lead us in the way we should go and on the path of life. (see Psalm 16)
Sometimes, the circumstances surrounding a decision speak so loudly that it is harder to discern the true heart peace. In these situations, I have a foolproof method that has worked in my life. Thinking and praying alone may not quiet my emotions, so I always create a peace/no peace chart on paper. I simply write two headings at the top titled "Peace / No Peace" and begin to list what I am seeing in both areas.
The Lord says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 NKJV.
Nothing is too small if I notice it and do not like it or if I like it and feel peace about it. I write it down because I know the Lord has guided me with His eye. It’s almost as if He has sometimes turned my head to notice and see the small nuances. Pretty quickly, the swirling decisions in my head become very clear. When there are ten items under Peace and two under No Peace, I can see that God is leading me through His peace in a specific direction.
I then tell my fears to “Be quiet and be silent” in Jesus' Name, and in prayer, I say to the Lord that I receive His perfect love, which casts out fear.
I then take courage, look to Jesus, not man, and move in that direction by faith.
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NKJV.
I have learned that I do not need to lean on my own understanding, for His peace brings a pearl of wisdom that always leads to life. We’ll never know all that our Savior has saved us from with each decision, but His mighty Holy Spirit bears the fruit of peace and joy as we follow.