How to be happy with your choices

(photo credit: jimbonham.com)

Have you ever thought about what “super hero power” you would like to have?  Flight?  X-ray vision?  Probably the one I most often think about would be the ability to be in more than one place at a time.  Sometimes it feels like there are too many opportunities, too many responsibilities, and too little me.

This past weekend was one of those times. There were four places I wanted to be: the high school graduation of my nephew, the high school graduation of my next door neighbor who is like another daughter, the wedding of a young lady who grew up in our church, and the funeral of a friend and mentor.  Four places I wanted to be; the one I chose would, by necessity, eliminate others.  How could I possibly be happy with one choice and have no regrets about the others?

Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).  No pressure!

I once heard someone say, “The road is narrow, but we get to use the whole road.”  That stuck with me, and the more I have thought about it, the more I am convinced that it is Biblically sound.  I did a search of the concept of choices in the Bible. Here’s what I found: the word “choice” is found 34 times in the New International Version, “chosen” - 125, “chose” – 45, “choose” – 66, “choices” – 0. The vast majority of those occurrences are talking about God’s choice, not ours. Hmmm.

Here’s one that is talking about ours: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

It seems that the pivotal choice for us is whom we will serve (Joshua 24:15), which sets the direction of our lives (Matthew 7:13-14).  Within those parameters, we are able to exercise some discretion in our choices. So, here are some of my thoughts on some filters that will allow us to make good choices without regrets.  If I choose A over B:

1    1.     Will my choice do anything to dishonor God or undermine my life’s choice to serve Him?
2.     Can God be glorified in my choice and will I behave in such a way that He will be?
3.     Can I make this choice joyfully?
4.     Are there ways I can demonstrate faith, love, and respect in the choices I decline?

Sometimes, choices are really no-brainers.  When they aren’t, our lives matter so much to God that He doesn’t leave us without resources. 

Choose joyfully.  Love deeply.

Question:  What are some ways you can think of that help with filter #4 above?

Leave a comment below.  I'd love to hear your perspective.