dumb decisions
I’ve made dumb decisions.
I may or may not have realized how foolish the decisions were at the
time. You all know how we are as young
people. We can’t see an inch beyond our
face and don’t or choose not to realize how consequential our choices really
are. One time I chose to join my friends
in trying some chewing tobacco. It was
only a pinch between my cheek and gum.
The short-term and long-term consequences were dreadful. The stuff made me nauseous and I was suspended
for a basketball game for breaking team rules. Some decisions are just dumb. Failing to see the implications of my choices
is often the result of not thinking through decisions carefully and thoroughly. Like my dad used to say, “Think, before you
decide.”
God would add, “Pray before you decide.” Prayer in its purest form is an act of
trust. It’s depending on God’s direction
which is inherently wise. Abraham made
some dumb decisions in his life and they’re revealed in the Bible for what they
are, foolish choices. These foolish
decisions were not prayerful choices. They
may be been well thought out schemes, but they were dumb decisions. In two instances he chose to lie about the
true nature of his relationship to Sarah.
He called her his sister which was half true, but not the whole
truth. Abraham acted to preserve his
life, a natural instinct. As he moved
into hostile territories under the rule of ruthless leaders he thought he might
be killed if he claimed Sarah as a spouse.
Ruthless leaders take what they want and Sarah was a desirable woman. We all understand acting in fear. We all are inclined to act in self-preserving
ways. But when our fear is so strong we factor
God out of our relational equation and choose not to consult Him, that’s
dumb. Then we make decisions as if He
doesn’t exist, and if He does exist He doesn’t care. But God does exist and He most certainly
cares. And as He proved in Genesis 20,
He can protect even liars from the danger that drives us to rely on
half-truths. His mercy is inexhaustible. Much of the pain and inconvenience we bring
on ourselves can be avoided. Pray before
you decide. Your choice of socks or
breakfast cereal, not so much a conversation starter with the Creator of the
universe. But talk to God about the big
stuff.
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