Luke 12:27-28
Todd and I love to look at and have often bought and sold homes through the years. We enjoy the activity, even the “fixing up” that usually accompanies such a purchase. One time we found a house that was just the right size with phenomenal views and in a very desirable neighborhood. The problem was paying for it!
So, we turned to God in prayer. Our prayer was that God would help us discern the right thing to do, that God would shut doors that seemed too tempting for us, and that we would look objectively at the situation and use the gifts God has given us to make a good decision. One thing I’ve learned is that prayer for God’s partnership in a decision does not leave me off the hook to work hard to discern what I should or should not do or what God would have us do!
We looked again at the house (which this time seemed a bit more “worn out” than when we first viewed it) and counted the cost. We looked with new eyes to our present home and its comfort and usefulness to us. We discussed how we could better use our money and energy. Needless to say, we called the real estate agent and said we would not be making an offer. Then we thanked God for being there with us in the decision-making process.
We live in a world that rarely thinks of God as interested in a relational connection with his creation. There is a common belief that each person better figure things out for him or herself. God just isn’t interested. How lonesome and scary that would be for me. But we’ve learned that God does care.
I take great strength in the words of the Psalmist (139) who declares, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” I find hope in the lesson of Jesus to his disciples, “Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will God clothe you...?” God cares! God also has given us each tools with which to make good decisions. Invite God to guide your decisions in everything.
Prayer: God of all, you have created us with great care and love. Listen to our prayers and be with us as we make decisions day by day. Amen.