I wrote this for a friend but it has timeless truths I want to remember...
You have reached an important milestone
in your life. It is a wonderful time and
frankly, I am jealous for all you have ahead of you: college, starting your life, and the strength,
vigor and freedom of young adult hood.
It is the best time of your life.
However, there a danger that
pride, emotions, ambition, or fear can cause you to make a decision in the
moment that can derail your adulthood.
Although this is a time when you can make your own choices
independently, making decisions impulsively can lead to sorrow.
We all have faults. Worse, we have blind spots. Like cars have blind spots, so do we. When we drive, we don’t just look straight
ahead when we make a turn or switch lanes; that could be fatal! No, we look left and right, over our
shoulder, check our mirrors first, to see all around us before we switch
lanes. Life is like that too.
When making decisions, we need to
stop and look around. Especially at this
season of life, that can feel unnatural, repressive even. We want to try new things and enjoy life,
relax. But just like not looking in the
mirrors before switching lanes can cause an accident in our cars, not
reflecting and seeking wise council on decisions can cause a major derailment
in our life.
So how do we do this? How do we “look into the mirror” before
making decisions? There are several
ways:
1.
Consider the consequences. Play
it out in your mind what will happen if you make a choice, into the next day,
the next week, the next year. I find
even now my first thought, my initial response to a situation, is wrong. And the more I want to impulsively jump ahead
and do something, the more wrong it is!
Sometimes, just sleeping on it, letting time pass, waiting a bit, can lead
to a much wiser decision.
2.
Consider what people who you love and care
for you would think. If you
would be ashamed if your parents, or others people who you are close to, knew what
you are doing, it is a red flag. Life is
best when lived in the light. If there
is something you are doing in secret, in the dark, it is something that will
cause you heartache. Don’t go down that
path! If you find yourself there because
you wandered there carelessly, get help quick! Don’t linger and don’t let fear
or shame trap you further! Confess to
someone who cares for you. That is
always the first step. Remember, there
is always a way out, if you have courage, be a man, and take it.
3.
Consider God’s ways. When
Paul said “pray about everything,” he wasn’t kidding. Pray about your decisions: invite God into
the choice. Wait on Him, allow Him time
to speak to you. Read His Word: a daily
reading of scripture will be a surprisingly accurate guide in your life. It will feel like God is reading your
thoughts (He is!!) and He will speak to you and guide you through scripture in
amazing ways.
4.
Consider the counsel of godly mentors. Mom
and dad first, but also have other godly people who love you, can speak into
your life, and are willing to tell you the truth, even when you will not want
to hear it. This is the relationship I
have with your mom. We need this. You
will need this! Have people around you
who will see what is happening in your days and can speak to you when you are
going down a wrong path. You will always
be rubbing up against people who will influence you in negative ways—it is just
how life is. Even at a Christian
college, even at church, there are people who can lead you into situations that
can be harmful or just distracting to God’s purpose in your life. So to help keep you on course, keep godly
friends around you and stay in regular contact with them. They will be a life saver.
5.
Consider: “I could be wrong!” We all have unique points of view and
opinions. But it is a trap to get so
stuck in our own ways that we never think we could be wrong. When I find myself disagreeing with what
someone else is thinking or doing, I have begun to ask this important question:
Is it me, Lord? Maybe it not them.
Maybe they are right—or at least right-er. Maybe they have another perspective
that is valid. Maybe I don't know all
the facts. Maybe I have a part in the problem. Maybe the bulk of the problem is
not them—maybe, just maybe, it is me.
Pride is the smoke that hides our blind spots.
Finally, as you choose your path,
it is most important to remember our life is not just about us and achieving
the life that we want. Our story is about God's story that He wants to
write with our lives. Therefore, in all things we should consider if our
lives and choices honor God. Are we
about our glory or His? Our prayer should
be as the song:
Creator God you gave me breath so
I could praise Your great and matchless name all
my days. So let my whole life be a blazing
offering, a life that shouts and sings the
greatness of our King
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