Decisions, decisions, decisions!

My recent Tapestry blog on waiting elicited a comment about decision-making. The author suggested that we must not wait to be 100% sure before making a decision. Such thinking had immobilized him in fear of making the wrong choice.

I agree—God expects us to act and not sit back out of fear. He isn’t playing a game with us to hide his will from us. He wants us to seek him in prayer, to apply his word, to act in accordance with his character, and to seek godly counsel—and then to move on, not waiting on some sign or feeling. He is capable of stopping us if we choose the wrong path after genuinely seeking his will.

However, when God sends us warnings that we ignore or when we fail to seek his guidance, we can’t expect him to stop us. People pray for closed doors, but generally he gives wisdom instead of closed doors. We must take time to listen and seek counsel from his word and his people instead of seeking a shortcut—a closed door.

Yesterday a friend asked me why I am writing a book.
Although I have no publisher, I continue to write, edit, and send out my proposal. I told her that there was no voice, no sign, and no vision leading me. However, many godly people along the way encouraged me to take my leadership development material and make it available to a wider audience. Women who worked through the curriculum expressed its benefits. I saw that what God had given me (experience, research, and time to write) was for the church at large, not just my church.

All of these pointed to writing. God’s word: it says that all I have been given, including my spiritual gifts, education, and training belongs to him, not me. God’s character: he is generous and gracious, as I must be. (Even if it never gets published, God will show me a way to share it.) Godly counsel: I listened to God in prayer and to his people.

I continue on the path of faith, trusting the one who leads me to reveal my next steps.