Decisions are odd things. So often, we tend to categorize our decisions in one of two ways – right or wrong. We tend to spend inordinate amounts of time working to guarantee that we make the “right” decision, fearful that if we make the “wrong” one, life will somehow be forever negative. What if decisions were merely, decisions? What if decisions were better categorized as wise, calculated, risky or rash? (Those are merely a few categories we could use rate decisions) I believe that if we were to begin expanding the way we evaluate our decisions and eschew our propensity for simplistic categorizations, we might find more power and purpose.
As a Recovering Bapticostal (a term I will expand on more this year), I recall the day I began to see decisions as more than just right or wrong. It was the summer between my junior and senior years at Hardin-Simmons University. I was taking the second year of Greek in summer school. We spent both sessions translating various portions of the New Testament. I averaged 10 hours a day in class and independent translation work. It was one of the most intense periods of my life.
For most of my young life, I had subscribed to the belief that decisions were either only Right or Wrong. Make the “Right” decision and all would be well. Make the “Wrong” one and I would find myself atoning for an indefinite time period hoping to find reconciliation one day. What was the turning point for me? It was the day we translated Romans 8:28. All of my life, I had heard it translated, “For all things work together for food for those who love and and are called according to His purpose.” The subtle focus of that translation was on Things – Things working! That explained what was behind my crippling belief that all things happen for a reason and that I would have to spend the rest of my life finding that reason every time some THING happened. The translation that emerged in our work was this: “In all things, God works to bring good to those he loves.” See the difference?
When this translation takes control, the focus shifts from objects and events to the Creative Force behind all things. God works to open doors of possibility regardless of the decisions we make. Decisions can fall along a continuum similar to the words mentioned earlier in this post. I struggle with this concept today almost 45 years later. The temptation to succumb to those simplistic categorizations is strong. Yet, when I focus on the idea that God (the Creative Force) works to create opportunities for me, then I can begin to see the power of possibility. As I reflect on some of the decisions that beg to follow the simplistic path rather than the expansive path of possibility, I see how, even if there might have been better decisions at the time, I have benefited as a result.
- One “questionable” decision actually allowed me to travel the country from coast to coast, speaking to those in the life insurance industry.
- Another of those “questionable” decisions opened the door for me to write my first book, Awaken to Good Mourning.
- Still another of those “questionable” decisions thrust me into an arena working with graduate counseling programs as a frequent guest lecturer to future professional counselors.
- A final “questionable”decision taught me to pay closer attention to my intuition when making decisions.
In all things (read decisions) God (The Creative Force) works to open doors of possibility knowing that whichever path we choose, we will always find something useful . . . If only we pay attention.
Peace!
Mark E. Hundley
