Saturday, July 23, 2005

Decision-Making Difficulties

I’ve been reflecting a lot about my life recently, particularly this week when practically all members of our family (both immediate and extended – maternal) have gone on vacation and I was left behind because I still go to school. It’s interesting what a few days of being alone (not completely anyway) did to me, particularly since I have had one of the worst weeks academically in my entire life (but that’s a different story). One of the biggest things I’ve been thinking about is choice – not it as a vague concept, but the specific options that I am faced with right now. I’ve talked about own decision making in one of my previous entries, how all of us have both the right and duty to make our own choices for ourselves. What I did not say is the sheer difficulty of actually making these. Granted, not all decisions are hard to make, like what pair of shoes to buy over the other. It is when we are faced with choices that could change our lives forever that when the difficulty arises.
One of the reasons for this difficulty is the simple fact that other people and not only you are involved in it. No, I’m not doing a complete about-face from my previous entry. What I’m saying is that the decisions we make affect other people as well, and I’m talking about this in the literal sense and not only in the philosophical aspect of it. That’s why when we are faced with huge decisions, we have to discern really well on the possible consequences of our choice, because it’s not only for ourselves who will be affected by it – the whole balance of the world is depending on us to make the right choice. Well, maybe not to that extent, but we should always remember that the outcome of our decisions affect others as well.
Another reason for this difficulty is when you idea what you will face if and when you make a certain decision. I’m the type of person who want to know just what exactly I’m getting myself into; I’d rather not go in blind in a situation if I don’t have to, especially if it entails long-term commitment, or just commitment in general. For me, once you enter into one, you’re in it forever, unless you have a very good reason for chickening out, because quitting in the middle of things is done in very bad taste. Yet, what if backing out is actually the best option? That’s another sticky situation that I’d prefer not to think about right now, as I’ve got a lot on my plate already. What I’m saying is that it’s good to know all of your options and what exactly you’re getting into before you actually take the plunge. I can’t just go in (or out of) something just because I saw one positive (or negative) about it. Options should be weighed very carefully; reasons should be well-thought of before actually deciding something. We can’t really go and make choices based on shallow reasons, because in the end, we might just find ourselves in deep trouble for committing into something but we can’t sustain our allegiance to it.
The most important reason for making decisions for me, however, is that it should be done because it is according to God’s will for us. Admittedly, we can’t go and claim to know all of His plans for us. His ways are not the ways of man. Yet, He will show us where He wants us to go, and we can find that out through continual prayer, discernment, and of course, through His Word. He has promised us in Mt 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” He will show us the way to Him, if we ask Him. I want my whole life to be lived for His glory, according to the purpose that He has made me. What use would it be if I just assumed on His purpose as an excuse for me to live my life the way I want it? It won’t bear anything. Before I can make decisions (minor or major), before I can commit, I have to be completely sure that that’s what He wants me to do, and I’m not just assuming it because it’s what I want to see. Psalm 33:11 says, “But the plans of the Lord stands forever, wise decisions through all generations.” All throughout the Bible is the prayer, “Teach me Lord Your ways that I may walk your path.”
I guess that’s about it. I’m sorry for not being too specific on this entry. If you really are interested, send me a private message, and I’ll answer your questions for you. Come to think of it, I have no idea whether people actually read my blog or whatever, but I’ll continue writing entries anyway, for Him as well as for myself.

1 comment:

Z said...

Hey dear! Yup...we need to constantly seek God in order to know where He wants us to be. Discernment is really really important in this so we won't mistake our enthusiasm as God's command. Let's keep praying; we know that in His perfect time, He'll give us the answer.

Anyhow, I found the verse you were asking yesterday. It's in Isaiah hehe

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

GB dearest! :D