It seems like a fun game that could instantaneously decide on things you are usually having a hard time deciding on. The Magic 8 Ball, which looks like an oversized billiard ball answers questions answerable with a yes and no, of players who wanted to do some random fortune telling or decision-making.
Come to think of it, humans have come up with ways to help them make decisions easily. In the biblical times, casting lots was a thing. The Chinese culture on the other hand uses divination blocks to help them in making choices and answering questions in their mind. Nowadays, artificial intelligence is used to hasten and enhance decision making capabilities by collating information relevant to the choice process.
As followers of Jesus, we however are enjoined to present our concerns to God first. When we decided to surrender our lives to Him, it means believing that He has planned our existence long before we have been conceived. That everything that happens and will happen in our lives is within His control.
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
When we seek God’s wisdom above all, we get to have a better grasp of the consequences of the decisions that we make. We become more aware of how it will impact our lives and that of others. And the good thing about it is that God is more than happy to guide us in choosing the right path for our lives. And since He is sovereign there is no issue that is too small nor too big for Him to handle.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5
When we realize that our life is a sum total of all the decisions that we make, we will grasp the impact of all our day to day choices. We would not want to squander our opportunity to live good lives because of subsequent wrong decisions that we make.
But when we aim to honor God in everything that we do, we will at least be more intentional in aligning our decisions to his will.
“All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2
So how do we seek God’s guidance in every decision that we make? Well, we have to build a relationship with Him first. Just like any relationship where you can seek advice, you would have to have a connection with that person. Say for example she is your mom, or she is your best friend in school, or he is your trusted uncle or teacher.
There has to be a relationship established between you and God and this in only built when we intentionally spend time with Him in prayer, and in knowing and reflecting on His words. We will never get to know God if we are not familiar with His character, His commands and His teachings. Spending time reading the bible and reflecting and studying it, and pitting its lessons against our life situation can help us get to know God better, and understand His will.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
When we have already established our relationship with Him through daily quiet time and weekly worship and group bible study, we will know what decisions are pleasing to Him, and what will not glorify His name. We then bring our concerns to Him and humbly seek His guidance, just like Jesus, who always sought the Heavenly Father’s wisdom in the decisions that He made.
“Now it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer with God.And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles.” Luke 6:12-13
In the end, there is no better person or invention that could help lead us to the right path. Jesus Christ, who died for us, has left us the truth and the life lessons that will guide us in living a godly and truly abundant earthly existence. God the Father made it possible for us to come to Him through Jesus, so let us not squander the opportunity to come to the one who knows us and our situation inside out, knows about all the variables, and has the power to lead us to the right path — because after all He was the one who forged it.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Colossians 2:1-8 and Proverbs 16:1-3 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Who do you seek guidance from when making crucial and life-changing decisions? Is God your foremost adviser or is He just part of your “advisory board” ?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for being so generous with your wisdom and love. Give me the grace and confidence to seek your guidance and will for both big and small decisions I make in my life. I want to honor you with each of them. Amen.
