Have you ever been in one of those situations where an opportunity presented itself, just out of your reach, and wondered if it was yours for the taking, or, still not your time yet?
You didn’t go looking for the connection; it came to you. Still, you wonder what your next steps should be.
Samuel anointed David to be king one day. Yet Saul, the current king, wanted David dead. He hunted him down with focused fury. One day while David and his men were hiding in a cave, Saul unknowingly entered that same cave to relieve himself. Little did he know that David hid in the shadows. David’s men urged him to end this battle once and for all. They declared, Surely, the Lord has delivered Saul into your hands this day! Did He? Or was this a test of David’s heart?
Even though Saul was within reach, it wasn’t yet David’s time to be king. David refused to grab for himself something God had already promised him. May we, too, be so assured of God’s goodness and faithfulness that we know when to practice restraint and know when to forge ahead in faith.
Recently on Susie Larson Live, I spoke with the author and founder of Texon LP Terry Looper about his book, “Sacred Pace.” Terry offers four essential steps for making wise decisions:
- Consult your friend Jesus
- Gather the facts
- Watch for circumstances
- Get neutral
All too often, our emotions drive our choices, but if we take this first step and consult our friend Jesus by reading His Word and listening for His voice, we’ll get a better sense of what our next steps should be. Then, we gather the facts; we bring in a few wise counselors/friends who aren’t afraid to tell us what they see regarding us, our motivations, and our circumstances. Next, we open our eyes and look around at the events that surround our decision. Is God moving? Are we willing to step back and let things play out in case God is up to something much more significant than our own eyes can perceive? And finally, we need to get neutral. Perhaps the hardest step of all. Terry offers a few practical ways to get neutral, so you’re in the best place possible to hear God’s voice and to discern His highest and best will for your life.
- Remove yourself and your emotions from a situation.
- Get out of your own way.
- Want God’s answer more than your own
- Walk by faith, not by sight.
- Detach from whatever is influencing you
- Give up your rights
God delights in every detail of your life. He cares about the small decisions as well as the big ones. His will for you is your best-case-scenario. You can trust Him. Put your will and your emotions and your motivations on the altar today and seek God. He will lead you on the best path for your life.
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 (NLT)
