Maybe I am just an over thinker but when the traffic light, seeming to sense my full speed approach, dawns the yellow hue, daring me to charge past, I am presented with an immediate dilemma. This dilemma demands an immediate answer. Do I punch it and squeak through or should I hit the breaks and screech to a halt? I suspect that I am not the only one who gets a tad stressed when I choose to go for it and the crimson glare intrudes far sooner than expected.
While these minuscule decisions frequently have little bearing on how the rest of our day will turn out, there are times in our lives that we feel that we are approaching unexpected yellow lights in every direction.
Yellow lights show up in different ways. Sometimes everything seems to be going smoothly and suddenly your circumstances present you with a wait it out or punch it scenario. This can come in the form of switching jobs, or making changes in our health routine, relationship shakeups and a host of other options.
Often these are not circumstances we desired or even anticipated and yet here we are. This can be quite unnerving as we waffle between possible outcomes, knowing we cannot choose both.
It can feel like God has handed me a riddle, with not quite enough information to be confident of the solution as he stands by watching me try to figure it out.
A good friend recently reminded me that God is funneling me onto his path.
The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
We only have a second or two to decide if we are heading into the intersection. In life we often have more time than that but sometimes we sense an urgency, and a much more critical decision.
At times the wrong part of the process trips us up. We are looking at deciding between two things and we actually would like to have both. Like a stubborn child we cling to what we know, what we are comfortable with while wanting the freedom and excitement that comes with letting go.
The first step in decision making is often clearing out the clutter clogging our own hearts. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us that our prayers should include asking for God’s will to be done. On the Mount of Olives he took this further:
Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Luke 22:42
The first question we must answer when we face a yellow light is “Do I desire God’s will more than my own?”
Let’s face it sometimes we feel the tug of God and we dig in our heels. “Not that, not yet, I am not ready, I am not willing.” If any of these are our posture the response is obvious.
God doesn’t ask us to pick things up or put them down recklessly. The Word of God tells us our good is always on his mind and in his plan. When we refuse to respond to his direction we display a lack of trust. It is as if we are declaring that our timetable, our plan is actually better for us than his.
If our hearts’ cry is truly to uncover his will, the struggle is different. Disobedience isn’t the culprit, discernment is! The fear of missing out is replaced with the fear of missing God. The difference between the two couldn’t be more dramatic.
Sometimes we really need to hear from God. Our hearts and minds wander the trail of both paths and return to the point of decision even more confused.
We often think of the heroes of the Bible having complete clarity and hand written directions for every forkurcation. Although at times the booming voice from Heaven or direct proclamation of a prophet provided assistance even David found himself uncertain how to proceed.
Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. Psalm 25:4-5
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10
Clearly the leading of God should be what we are after. Unless we seriously want what he wants more than what we want this process is not going to work. His plan, his timing, his glory-Is this what we are truly pursuing? If we hesitate when he says go, or lean forward when he says stop we must consider where we have really placed our confidence.
Trust is such an integral part of our walk with God. Trust is what we need in times of decision. Once we have determined that our obedience isn’t the issue it is time to trust God.
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5
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