Make Big Decisions the Way Jesus Did

How do you make big decisions?

Knowing what to do when there’s not a clear “right” or “wrong” choice is so frustrating! Life decisions like this require wisdom and prayer—two things all Christians know they need in increasing measure. One of my favorite Biblical promises is 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.” Considering the fact that James was Jesus’ brother, I think much of what James describes in his short epistle was likely gathered from watching his big brother’s life since his own childhood. Jesus was someone who sought God’s wisdom, and James witnessed the results.

Luke 6:12-15 is a perfect example.

Verse 13 tells that Jesus selected 12 apostles from a large group of disciples. He wanted a group of close student / friends whom He would train and let loose on the world for Gospel ministry. If you were Jesus, how would you go about choosing 12 guys whose mission would be to change the world? No pressure.

Every Christian I know would say they pray about big life decisions. But very few approach prayer with the confidence and expectation that Jesus did. Did you notice what verse 12 said about Jesus’ prayer time? It wasn’t whispered in the car as he drove to work. It wasn’t a bedtime prayer as He put his head on his pillow. The text literally says, “he spent the night praying to God.” No sleep? It sounds like Jesus had an all-nighter for prayer. And then from morning until who-knows-when, He taught, healed sickness, and cast out impure spirits. Jesus was a man’s man. And Jesus brings an all-new definition to the term “prayer-warrior.”

If you were able to attend the RC Spiritual Disciplines Conference a few weeks ago, Dr. Whitney shared about praying the Bible. I don’t know if you ever noticed, but when you cut Jesus, He bled Bible. Dr. Whitney gave a perfect example. He reminded us of Jesus’ words on the cross, in Matthew 27:46 and Mark15:34, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” arguing that Jesus was praying Psalm 22 from the cross.

While we think of good prayer as a big, long soliloquy, and the longer the soliloquy the more holy we are, I’m not convinced this was Jesus’ approach to prayer. Jesus prayed the Bible. So, when Jesus was up on the mountain all night asking God for wisdom as He selected the apostles, what scripture might He have been praying?

I don’t know… But looking at some Psalms, there are lot of good options to pray when you’re staring down a big decision.

Psalm 32:8 reminds us that God will be our guide.

Psalm 25:4-5 asks God to show us His way.

Psalm 25:12 reminds us He will show the reverent the right path.

Psalm 119:105 tells us God will light our path.

Psalm 142:3 reminds us that God knows when we’re overwhelmed and that He can give direction.

Whatever decision you are wrestling over right now, remember God already knows the outcome. God loves you. And if we seek Him the way Jesus did, He will guide us. It doesn’t mean things will always work out the way we want. Jesus was still crucified, even after praying that God would spare Him from it. The caveat to Jesus’ prayer that God would exempt Him from crucifixion??? Jesus had the same wants as God…namely, the redemption of mankind. So, when you pray over a big decision, ask God to change your wants to His wants. Because when your wants become His wants, you’re gonna see God at work. And that is the best we can ever hope for.