Remember This When You Have A Big Decision To Make
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” - Psalm 139:1-10
The average adult makes approximately 35,000 remotely conscious decisions every day. Think about that for a second. 35,000 decisions. Decisions ranging anywhere from texting that cute boy you have a crush on, to figuring out what you want to do after college, to deciding if you want an extra shot of espresso in your morning coffee.
With so many decisions to make each day, it is not surprising that as humans, we default to thinking that God’s plan is dependent on our decision making. But in reality, understanding God’s plan does not come from asking, “God, is your plan for me to pick option A or option B?”
In reality, God’s plan is to give assurance of His presence. He wants us to know that whether we take the job or not, He is with us. If we move to the new city or if we stay put, He will be with us. His presence is not restricted by the options we’re faced with in each decision we have to make. Oftentimes, the Lord gives us choices, and then He promises to be with us, to protect us, and to provide for us whatever we do.
Think about what the psalmist writes in Psalm chapter 129. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10).
No matter where we go, no matter what decision we make, we can’t outrun God. We can’t lose Him, and we can’t escape Him. My prayer is that you’ll find peace in that truth today. Be comforted by the fact that your decision making doesn’t impact God’s presence, and whatever decision you’re facing today, the Lord will be with you regardless of how you choose to move forward.