In the United States we will hold elections in early November. As a citizen it’s important to become informed of candidates and issues, to deliberate, to make wise choices, and then to vote accordingly to try and bring about improvement.
Making wise choices is important in all areas of life. The choices you make determine the quality of your life, your growth, your relationship with God and others, and your destiny. It’s never too late or too early to do what’s right, good, loving, or beautiful. God loves you and is calling you to have that kind of influence in this world, because it draws you closer to him and helps others do the same.
You Are Broken
However, doing so is not always clear or easy. Sometimes circumstances seem stacked against you. There might not seem to be a good option. Or there are several possible choices, but you don’t know which is better. You may not have all the information to move forward or you’re unsure what will happen if you take action. You may know what’s right, but you are afraid of what it will cost you. Combined with adverse circumstances is your warped perspective. You, along with every other person, tend to evaluate decisions from an ego-centric perspective which is finite in scope, limited by your experiences, and tainted by a desire to please and preserve yourself. In short, you are a broken person trying to restore a fallen world, but lasting solutions are beyond your ability.
Jesus Is Your Answer
Fortunately, God has not left you alone to figure this out. He wants what is best for you and everyone. He is good, righteous, loving, and powerful beyond our comprehension. In his omniscience and wisdom, he knows that what is best is for you to be with him, to be like him, and to do what he does. Jesus, God the Son, makes that possible. He graciously stepped down from heaven and became a man. He died and rose again to save you from living for yourself. Anyone who trusts in Jesus can be healed and restored to a right relationship with God and enjoy his abundant life now and forever. Through Jesus you can ask God for wisdom and he will grant it (James 1:5). Not only will God show you what is right, he will also enable you to do what is right, good, loving, and beautiful.
Unlock God’s Blessings
Being faithful, available, and teachable is key to unlocking the treasure of God’s wisdom and power. The apostle Paul encouraged believers along this line, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). There is a process Paul identifies which enables you, with God’s help, to make wise choices. First, humbly accept the gracious, loving sacrifice God has made for you in Jesus. He laid down his life and rose again in order to keep you from having to die for your wrongdoing. Confess any sin and receive his forgiveness. Second, give all that you are and all that you have to loving God and serving others. You have been blessed by God to be a blessing to others. Third, recognize that living for God goes against this fallen world’s way of doing things. Thus, you will face opposition and difficulty. But persevere by trusting and obeying Jesus (John 16:33). Fourth, read God’s word, the Bible. Discover his truth. Praise God for who he is and what he has done. Learn his ways of working in this world. In time, you will begin to see people and circumstances the way he does and you’ll be able to respond accordingly.
Conclusion
You face choices every day. But you don’t always have what you need to make wise choices that will benefit you and others. Turn to Jesus to fill that gap. Through his message and mission when he came to earth, he proved that he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is the only one who can satisfy what you need each day and what your soul deeply longs for (John 4:13-14, 6:25-58, 15:1-8). By faith receive his wisdom and power to think clearly and to do what’s good, right, loving, and beautiful all for his glory.