All of us face tough decisions in our life. We face obstacles in our jobs, in our family life and in our spiritual life. When we face those obstacles, we must decide how to respond. Do we respond positively or negatively?
If we lose a job due to a layoff or reorganization–do we dwell on the “unfairness” of the move? Or, do we use it to motivate us and move on to the next opportunity? If we face a divorce–do we dwell on the negative issues that caused the divorce? Keep blaming the other party and seek revenge? Or do we ‘move on with our life’ and see new possibilities?
Some decisions may seem trivial at the time. But those small/trivial decisions may have major consequences later. Other decisions are major by anyone’s standards. In the long run, we are a result of all those decisions we have made during our lifetime. Did we say NO and try to ‘stay in the same place’? Or did we say YES, I will go?
In farming, often those tough decisions involve generational changes. Losing the generation that started and/or grew the farming operation. Now what happens to the farm? Are we able to keep it for the next generation? If we must sell, how can we be fair to all siblings of this generation?
God calls us in many ways and in many different situations. He reminds us that His plans may be different than the plans we had for ourselves. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
But, Jeremiah 29:12 requires a response: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” May we all seek God for answers to our tough decisions.
