At some level, it is never that simple. If there is an inventory clearance sale, I want to look through the entire store to ensure I’ve seen everything available before I make a decision regarding any purchase.
With me, its not just clothing, it is every consumer product available on the market. It can be something as simple as purchasing a book. Unless I know specifically the book I want, I can enter Barnes and Nobles with an anticipated purchase budget in mind. Invariably before I make a book selection, I glean every possible book I could possibly want before I make a decision and walk to the check out line.
In almost every arena of life, there are too many choices to choose from. The self-imposed need to consider every possible alternative is both overwhelming and at times frustrating. Consequently, I can relate to the concept that more is less.
My approach to shopping is very different from my son-in-law's. First, to convince my son-in-law to even go shopping is a major hurdle. I can assure you he would likely pick up the first thing he saw he wanted, make the purchase and never think twice about whether he would have wanted some else. At some level, that seems like a more healthy approach to shopping, but I just can’t quite get there.
If something as simple as shopping leaves me in a quandary, can you imagine the kind of decision making ordeal that weightier and more important choices create in my psyche? Whether it is problem solving, relationship building, conflict resolution, career issues, recreational possibilities, familial responsibilities, retirement planning, time management, soulfulness or establishing priorities – the endless number of choices can seem like a smorgasbord of details that need to be addressed, evaluated and ultimately resolved.
Do you ever feel immobilized by decision-making? There are some venues in which I make a decision that I carry with me going forward. It takes the guesswork out of subsequent similar decisions. For example, in 1976 I had my first experience eating Mexican food at a Pappasito’s Restaurant in Houston. From that time until about four or five months ago, whenever I went to a Pappasito’s restaurant (regardless of location), I didn’t need a menu. I always selected the same menu item that I ordered in 1976.
About four or five months ago, I opted to do it differently. It took a lot of determination, but I said with confidence, “I’ll have the dinner salad.” I was in Houston this past week and predictably ordered the dinner salad. When I was asked what salad dressing I wanted, I didn’t have to think about it. Easy answer- “I’ll take the spicy Ranch.” When the waiter responded, “We don’t have that any more”, I put the decision back in his court. “Okay, I’ll trust your judgment. You work here. You know what’s good. I’ll go with whatever you bring.” Apparently that proved to be an easier choice for me than the one the waiter had to make. He subsequently brought me three different salad dressings to try.
Sometimes life doesn’t have to be as complex as we make it. When it comes to blueprints for living, God has given us a pretty good outline in Scripture related to values and decisions that promote a sense of purpose and ultimate fulfillment. If we had an understanding of how critically important decisions can be regarding purpose, values, family, relationships, vocation and general well-being, some of the things we struggle to decide could best be left in the hands of our Creator. His ultimate will for our lives will never contradict His Word.
Several weeks ago I mentioned receiving an email request from a man I didn’t know. He only provided a snapshot of his circumstances. He reportedly had lost his job and his wife. He affirmed he wanted to be a good father for his children. He asked if I’d send him some Scriptures to help him stay focused and provide strength.
Without anything more to go on than that, I responded to his request by providing what he asked for specifically. I chose Scriptures that highlighted hope and the resiliency that God can pour into life. Following receipt of the first Scriptures I emailed to him, he responded he found them helpful. I subsequently sent more over the past three or four weeks. Recently, I received a response that he was in a much better place both emotionally and spiritually than he had been earlier. He thanked me for my kindness.
Actually, I should have been the person thanking him. We all need that same sense of awareness of God’s presence and His overriding purposes that support quality of life and well being. Do you remember the request that Solomon made of God? “Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?" (I Kings 3:9)
When it comes to things that have eternal value, the decisions before us are of such importance that we do others and ourselves a disservice if we opt to make decisions without “an understanding heart” and “knowing right from wrong.”
Life doesn’t have to be as difficult as we sometimes choose to make it. Sometimes the decisions and choices we struggle to evaluate aren’t that difficult to decide if we rely on God given wisdom to accompany our decision making process.
Perhaps the paradox of choice that needs our greatest attention is the importance of yielding our lives into the hands of the potter to ensure our greatest good.
All My Best!
Don