Choosing Wisely

When they were teenagers, during the summer we took turns making lunch. You should have heard the groans when our oldest pulled the hot Dill Pickle Jiffy Pizza from the oven! Tastes change through the

years, but our oldest still loves the unusual foods. His decision.

My Dad made a decision to trade postal jobs and houses with a man in another town. Before making the decision final, he and Mom prayed about the decision. Was this the right thing to do? How would it impact their teen-age children? Was there a church family to call their own in the new location? Would they like the house?

Moving day came after much preparation. The learning curve was steep for the mail carrier’s job, learning the route and all the patrons. We teen-agers were six weeks into the new school year, and then thrown into a smaller school system, with an all-new student body and teachers.

Finances became tight since the job required a car that worked in order to drive the 100 miles a day to deliver mail. I remember the 1945 Red Ford that soon racked up many miles. The car aged rapidly, with the country driving on dusty roads in the summer, snow in the winter. This required more decision-making as to finances, providing car repairs and new tires.

After one month, the decision was made to forego the house that was traded for, and move to the house next door. That moving day didn’t include a truck, but carrying our belongings across a field separating the two houses. The house fitted us.

Financially, it was tight for over a year, but it became home to the five of us, plus a cow, chickens and Jim’s hog for 4-H. The garden became an area of plenty – with vegetables, fruit and flowers. Even one year, Dad and Mom planted pecan trees.

When I think of the decisions they made and the sacrifices they made, I wonder how they were able to make wise choices. What makes a decision a wise choice? On what basis are decisions made? Who decides that a decision is wise? Is the wisdom of the decision in the eye of the beholder? On what basis or foundation can we be sure that our decisions meet the criteria of wisdom? Is it just a matter of listing the self-perceived pros and cons of the decision, or is there more?

Every family has many decisions to make and need the wisdom to do so. Discernment is a primary requisite and implies the ability to control actions, study possible consequences and generally practice self-control. Oh, that is one of the fruit of the spirit! (Galatians 5:22-23)

When floundering in the abyss of indecision, I like to read this verse: Colossians 2:2-3 – My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In Christ are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. As I read these verses I long to know more of his wisdom for that wisdom only comes through Him.

James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Proverbs 10:13 – Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, – but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

Proverbs 2:6 – For the LORD gives wisdom; – from his mouth come knowledge and understanding

Proverbs 3:13 – Blessed are those who find wisdom, – those who gain understanding,

Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, – but with humility comes wisdom.

James 3:13 – He who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

In every part of our lives, whether emotional, spiritual, mental or physical, our lives depend on the choices we make. Discerning choices that send us on our way in this life. Making each choice, one that we can ‘live’ with is the key. The verses above, and there are more, clearly tell us the genesis of that wisdom…from the One who created us and created our world and created the plan to save us to live with God for an eternity.

Where can we find God and pray for wisdom? He is closer than we know.

From one of my favorite chapters, Psalm 139, come these verses (Message)

7-12 Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.