From our earliest days, we are taught that there is a right and a wrong answer to almost every problem and dilemma. As we grow, we learn that life is a little more grey than black and white. In some ways, this fact is helpful, and it’s discouraging in other ways, especially when it’s a big life decision.
Life may not always give us a situation where we are choosing between right and wrong, but this doesn’t mean that we’re on our own to figure things out. God is with us through every decision, and His Word offers us guidance as we seek to follow His will and His way.
Psalm 119 describes the beauty of God’s Word and its importance in guiding our lives. Verse 105 tells us that God’s Word is like a lamp that will illuminate and guide us as we walk through life.
I live in a neighborhood where the sidewalks are very well-lit. This is helpful as we are in the time of year when the sun goes down early in the day. It allows my husband, son, and me to go on walks after work. Now, I should also say that we live in a part of town where bobcats and coyotes are known for roaming at night.
If we did not have lights on during our walk, we would not know if these creatures were nearby putting us at risk. However, our walking path is bright, and we are able to see where we are going and if there is something to be avoided.
This is essentially what God does with us. He gives us guidance to know where to go and the path of obedience.
This does not mean that he is going to light the whole way from beginning to end. I wish that were the case. I have found, instead, that God will illuminate our path one step at a time. In the meantime, we are asked to trust Him as we move forward.
Each step we take builds our trust and confidence that He is our Good Shepherd who knows the way.
When I think about God’s guidance in my life, I think of Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (23:1). The psalmist writes that God leads, guides, and restores us. Verse 4 states “Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me.” God’s guiding hand is there to show us through the dark valleys, to protect us against the dangers at large, and to lead us to green pastures.
The Christian life is one of faithful perseverance. We’re not promised to live a life that is straight and smooth but rather one of bumps and twists and turns. But each experience deepens our faith. It allows us to say, “This situation may be new, but my God is never changing. He was faithful before, and He will be faithful now. God, help me to trust you. Show me what you would have me do.”
Sometimes, God’s Word gives us clear directives of what the best path would be, whether to share the gospel with that friend or saying no to marrying someone that you would not be equally yoked with. Other times, we use the principles of Scripture to help us make decisions, like whether or not to say yes to that serving opportunity or determining what ministry to donate financially to.
Then there are times where God is giving you the opportunity to choose between two options. Either way you choose, you will not be out of His will. I have seen this happen with job opportunities, whether or not to go on a date with that guy, etc.
God promises to be with us when we seek Him in our decision making . He gives us peace as we look to Him and trust Him through the process.
