Influences and Decisions
When we make any decision in life, we consider a number of factors (influences).
We’re making decisions every single day. Some decisions we make are inconsequential. For example, it usually doesn't matter whether I wear a red shirt or a blue shirt today. It's a decision that isn't really important in the grand scheme of things. But there are decisions that we will need to make that have significant consequences. These are decisions that will affect us personally and affect the people around us. These are decisions that will have an impact on future situations and opportunities. These are decisions that will influence my work and productivity. These are decisions that will affect my family. These are the kinds of decisions that we will need to put adequate thought and prayer into.
Following Jesus is basically making one godly decision after another godly decision after another godly decision. We won't always get it right. If we falter, we know that we are forgiven through the finished work of Christ on the cross. But hopefully, we're making better, wiser, and godlier choices over time. At the most fundamental level, discipleship is about making a series of decisions that Jesus would approve of every single day.
How can we make better, wiser, and godlier decisions in life? Take a moment to consider what's influencing those decisions in the first place. When we make any decision in life, we consider a number of factors (influences). We might consider what other people have done in the past. We might consider what our parents and teachers have taught us. We might consider what our research on the internet says. We might consider something that we briefly saw on TV or in a book that we read. We might consider what our peers are doing or what advice they share. A whole host of influences inform our decision-making process.
If we want to come away making decisions in life that are more in line with God's desires, we need to consider what influences will help us do that. Obviously, if our influences are worldly or ungodly, the decisions we make will simply be a reflection of such. But if our influences are of a Christ-like nature, we can expect that our decisions will follow suit as well.
That's why it's important to spend adequate amounts of time communing with the Lord and engaging in the spiritual practices of prayer, Scripture, worship, and contemplation. We're increasing the godly influence in our lives so that we can make better, wiser, and godlier decisions in the end. As we saturate ourselves in our relationship with Christ and immerse ourselves in His values, we can't help but desire to live out in a way that is consistent with God's standards.
If you want to make godly decisions in life, start by having godlier influences that will eventually impact those future decisions.
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
