Making Decisions in Uncertainty: Day 1
Welcome to Decision-Making in Uncertainty!
Making future decisions about schooling, jobs, and life choices feels extremely tricky right now. How do we make solid decisions in a world that is shifting underneath our feet? What if we make the wrong decision or we regret our choice? What if the choices we have are between a rock and a hard place? Over the next 6 days, let’s explore practices and principles for decision-making.
Day 1. How You Treat People Matters In The Decision-Making Process
I read the news article and started sweating.
These are my options for schooling my children next year? This is the “plan”? What in the world? Is there any other possible way? I was starting to become annoyed and frustrated and overwhelmed. My flesh wanted to blame others and be angry, especially at “whoever was in charge.” Entitlement had reared its ugly head and it was not pretty. But thankfully the Spirit whispered, “They are doing the best they can.”
Dang. It’s true. They are.
And don’t I want that same grace?
Yes. Yes I do.
I want others to say of me that I am doing the best I can with what I’ve got.
Are you living this out? Are you kind and gracious towards the ones who give you information that causes you to make a choice? Do you assume the best in that individual? Do you feel your defenses rise or fall toward that person or group?
Sometimes our options for making decisions come top down and often from people we do not personally know. And because of this, we are tempted to see them as props, not people. But how we treat others matters in the middle of making hard decisions. It’s not just about the decision-making itself. It never is. It’s about loving God and loving others as we make that decision. In every single possible corner of our life, Jesus says following Him means to deny ourselves (our rights, our privilege, our entitlement) and to take up our cross. As well, when asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered: to love God and to love others.
Today, as we are facing a hard decision, let’s pull back the lens and gain perspective. This is not just about the decision in front of us; it’s about the souls in front of us. It’s about loving God in this space, acting in loving ways towards other human beings, refraining from complaining and grumbling, and doing so all with a humble heart. The people who have delivered the information are precious to God. Every last one of them. He made them and loves them. We cannot throw rocks at God’s precious people.
God calls us to be humble, gracious, and kind to others. Grace must be the blanket that wraps around any decision-making process. Whether or not you personally know those giving out the information—give them grace. They are doing the best they can. So are you.
God, help me to see each person in this process as who they are: precious and loved and created by You. Help me to be full of grace and compassion even in the face of my flesh. Forgive me for the ways I have complained and thrown rocks at others. Free me from myself and my fears and my judgement and help me to receive your grace so I can give it.
Scripture to Meditate On:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:36-40 ESV
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”. - Philippians 2:14 ESV
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2, NIV