Decisions, Decisions

“Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

A woman was sound asleep when the telephone jarred her awake. She groggily answered the phone.

“Hi!” exclaimed her peppy mother-in-law. She proceeded to rattle on about the busy day she had ahead and all the things that awaited her the rest of the week.

“Mom,” she sleepily interrupted. “It’s five in the morning.”

“Really? What are you doing up so early?”

There are many different ways to greet a new day. Some of us rise before the sun comes up, while others prefer to sleep in. Some go straight to the coffee pot while others go straight to the gym for a workout. However each of us starts the day, there is one thing we all have in common. Each new day presents a myriad of choices…decisions about how we will spend this gift of time that God has given.

The truth is, the reality of these choices often robs us of this important truth – that each new day is indeed a gift from the Great Giver of Life. Instead of beginning the day with humble gratitude, we tend to spend our mental and emotional energy creating a mental roadmap to navigate the endless responsibilities and decisions ahead. This often leaves us feeling overwhelmed before we have even gotten started.

What if, instead, we chose to continually draw our minds back to the abiding presence of Christ? Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day, our daily bread,” not, “Give us this week,” or, “Give us this month.” When we learn to walk through each day in complete dependence on God, communing with Christ through the presence of His Spirit, we realize that God lovingly equips us, one decision at a time, to choose what brings Him glory. And while what brings God glory will not always be the quickest, most popular, or easiest path, it is always what is best for us and for those that we love and serve.

Dear Lord, as much as I want to plan out my day and figure everything out on my own, help me to learn to rest in your presence. Remind me that I'm not in control, and that trusting in your plan is always the better option. In Jesus' name, amen.