Making Good Decisions

We are living during an extremely challenging season of ministry because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Decisions we make during this time could affect our churches and ministries for years to come. I find some decision-making guidance in Genesis 25 from the story of Jacob and Esau.  Esau found himself in a position of extreme hunger from a hunting trip.  In his “weakened” state, he made a quick, foolish decision, that cost him and his descendants his birthright.

4 keys to making good decisions:

1. Make slow decisions.  Esau got in a hurry and made a quick decision.  Surely he knew that his birthright was worth far more than a bowl of soup, but he made an emotional, weakened decision.  One of the devil’s sneakiest tricks is to get us to make quick, snap decisions.  Many times we regret these types of decisions for years to come.
2. Make joint decisions.  Esau should have consulted someone. Anyone! Anyone except his scheming brother Jacob.  Anyone who truly cared about him would have told him not to trade away his birthright while they handed him a Snickers bar.  We should do our best to never make decisions alone.
3. Make rationale decisions.  We can’t make good decisions if we don’t honestly consider the facts.  Esau said that he was about to die from hunger which was certainly not the case.  He made a bad decision because the truth became blurry to him. The truth is often blurry these days, but we must remember that facts are our friends when it comes to making decisions.
4. Make eternity-minded decisions.  We should always keep in mind that what we do for Christ is really what will stand throughout eternity.  With that in mind, we should decide to use our time, talents, and treasures in eternity-minded ways, especially during these challenging days.

Prayer: “Lord, help us to be wise when it comes to making decisions. Help us to make decisions carefully, but with courage. Help us to be willing to lead, but humble in seeking counsel. Help us to clearly see the truth and to keep eternity in view as we live our lives! May Your Name be exalted and may souls be saved as a result of the decisions that we make. Amen.”