Discerning God’s Will in Decisions
by Brice Johnson
I had spent weeks praying for guidance. A decision loomed and I wasn’t sure what to do. There were arguments for both sides of the decision, both of which seemed compelling. So I prayed that God would speak to me and tell me what to do.
I grew up reading stories from the Bible about how God intervened in history and spoke to his people through various means. The stories of old weren’t just cute fables, but pictures of a God who chooses to communicate to his creation, and still speaks to people today. I knew that God spoke. I just wanted him to speak in a particular way.
I wanted a burning bush moment. A road to Damascus encounter. A talking donkey experience. Dew on fleece. A dream (that’s easy to interpret, of course). I would even take a rebuke from a disgruntled prophet of the Lord.
God does speak today. We have the Bible, which is how God has chosen to primarily communicate to us. We also have the Holy Spirit of God within us, bringing to mind God’s word and exalting Jesus. But what do we do with decisions that don’t seem to have a go-to chapter and verse?
ASK GOD FOR WISDOM
It was in the midst of this season that I taught a class at my church through the New Testament letter of James. I ran into the following verse:
“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)
As James writes to Jewish Christians who are scattered all across the diaspora, one of his first encouragements is to ask God for wisdom. Wisdom to know how to endure suffering and trials. Wisdom to live as religious and ethnic minorities. Wisdom to navigate the complexities of everyday life as a Christian.
We might view wisdom as human philosophy or “words to live by,” but wisdom from God is living in step with how he has patterned the world. It’s putting to practice what we know from God’s word. It’s living in step with the Spirit.
While we may want a Magic 8 Ball with God’s answers, he offers us so much more. He offers us wisdom. Not pithy phrases or Yoda-isms, but the ability to see how God sees the world and to apply what he has revealed in Scripture.
What struck me about the passage from James 1 was the openness of the invitation. Do you lack wisdom? Ask God!. He will give generously and without reproach. God, who loves to give good gifts, would love to give you wisdom.
INVITE GODLY COUNSEL
We don’t make decisions alone. By God’s great wisdom, he created us to live with others. One of the many benefits of Christian community is the accumulated wisdom that comes from other believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God is a community that spans generations, cultures, and ideologies. Therefore, seeking wisdom from other believers can help protect us from the echo chambers we live in and ensure that we’re not walking in darkness.
MAKE A DECISION BY FAITH
This can seem daunting — what if I make the wrong decision? I’m often crippled with fear that my life will be derailed by one of my decisions. I may choose the wrong job opportunity or have the wrong approach to disciplining my children. Whenever we are paralyzed by fear, it is likely because we doubt the providence of God who is sovereign and whose plans can’t be thwarted – even if you chose the “wrong” job.
God calls us to walk in freedom, knowing that the Holy Spirit lives within us and equips us for every good work. This doesn’t mean we should make hasty decisions or that our decisions are inconsequential. However, it simply means that we don’t need to live in fear. As long as the decision and our motivations aren’t sinful, we can make a decision that applies what we know from God’s word.
BE CONFORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF JESUS
Jesus is the ultimate wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30). His teachings point to how we are to live in God’s kingdom and his life depicts the wisdom of God that confounds the wisdom of the world. This realization has transformed the last decade of my life and ministry. I’m no longer stuck in “analysis paralysis” — overthinking everything so that I’m unable to make a decision. I’ve enjoyed the gift of God in his word, his Spirit, and wise counsel. I wish I could say my decisions have only been wise these last ten years. They haven’t. But through his Spirit, his word, and his people, God is conforming me more into the image of Jesus. Even in my decision making.
Brice lives in Oklahoma with his wife, Robyn, and two kids: Ellery and Emmaus. Despite his location, he is an avid Texas Longhorn and enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with his family.