Run All Your Decisions Through Jesus

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.’ (Job 5:8-NIV); ‘But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause.’ (Job 5:8-NKJV)

Of all the great and (not-so-great) experiences of being a government contractor, one is meeting people that one would not normally meet.  Traveling across the globe allowed me to meet people in the differing parts of the world as well as many Americans from places that I normally would not be able to associate with. 

After receiving Salvation in 1995, the trips made to the Middle East and other locations in the US and the world provided opportunities to witness and encourage both American servicemen and fellow contractors, and even a couple of ‘natives’. This included a store owner in Qatar over his question, ‘why do some Christians have Jesus on the cross, and others don’t’ that ended up being a full-blown evangelistic sharing of the Gospel – and prayerfully others who followed me were able to bolster and share with him to harvest the seed that was planted that day.

One discussion that sticks out is a conversation I had with a government employee at US Southern Command in Miami, when visiting there in 2020-2021 on a weekly basis. I sat across from this gentleman in a cubicle area with six-foot-high partitions that seemed like cells more than office spaces.  The atmosphere of the work space did not encourage ‘small talk’.  Yet, this gentleman rolled to the edge of my cubicle, and started with a question from him to me of ‘so what’s your military background?’ that turned into (through some skillful linguistic twists on my part) him asking ‘are some people destined to join each other in marriage?’, and that evolved into a full-blown discussion about Faith in Christ. 

It was pleasing that the gentleman knew much of the Bible and shared that he too believes in Jesus, though I got the sense that his Faith was perhaps not where it should be.  However, he was very open to talking and listening, and engaging in dialogue about the Gospel.  After about several minutes of talking with each other, others came into the room and he quit talking, so I stopped, as well.  But sharing the Gospel and talking about Jesus is always a good thing, no matter where you are (or whatever you were attempting to accomplish).

I usually give the NIV translation as it 99.9% of the time gives the Scriptures the (in my opinion) the best ‘plain-English’ description, but today I wasn’t so sure so I included the NKJV translation as well as it describes what I want to convey a little clearer.  In talking with the gentleman, who I never did catch whether he was married or if he had kids (I did find out he owned a BMW, so I gave him my condolences on that), but based on something he mentioned in the form of a question, ‘how does someone know who should be their companion?’, my response was that person should pray for the Lord to give them discernment and the knowledge on whether that particular person is the ‘right one’.  In essence, exactly what Job 5:8 says. 

Now, sometimes things just fall in front of us and we blindly run into the proper choices in life, as I did with my wife 43 years ago.  But I have no doubt though I was not saved at that time (and it would be another 15 years or so until I would be) that the Lord blessed us with each other, knowing that we were best to be with each other.  After my Salvation, however, when a big decision is to be made, I ask the Lord for guidance. 

For those who may be asking the question that the gentleman asked, the Lord knows who is best for us and the Lord knows what is best for us.  Obviously, I have not dated in over 43 years (praise the Lord for that!) but I would guess in today’s dating scene those who are ‘single and want to mingle’ (those who haven’t given up looking for a partner in marriage) are perhaps introduced to or meet many candidates, some good and some not so good. 

No one person is going to that perfect fit, but some will have qualities that will resonate as well as have qualities that do not.  In our human flesh, we may feel attracted to someone who looks like a good fit, but it would be best before running to the wedding chapel to pray and ask the Lord for His take on the situation, and allow the Holy Spirit to give insight. 

Don’t make a decision based on feelings but base it on facts.  He or she may be perfect physically, or have the best intelligence; but what is their character – and what are their beliefs?  My wife and I have our differences to be sure, but I can overlook some of her more ‘bleh’ traits, as she overlooks my not-so-good traits (I can’t think of any at the moment, but I’m certain she can); as she is a Faithful servant of the Lord, a very good character and with kindness (not to mention still very beautiful). 

I would imagine if she was less loving (and forgiving, and patient, etc.), more demanding, and not of the Faith our relationship would not have gone far.  Until we married, lived together, and started to go through the trials of life together neither of us really knew each other, but God knew all that at the very beginning.  (He obviously knew she would dig someone with a big flowing beard, so that’s a good thing.)

In any decision, whether it be one of buying a house, choosing a job, or finding a lifelong mate, include Jesus into the decision-making process and see what He has to say.  He has your best interests in all things!