Monday, January 01, 2007

The Wisest Counselor

As humans, we are characterized by the inability to make a decision that takes every single piece of information into account. Decisions like where to live, what car to buy, who to marry, who to hang out with and how to live our lives are very important decisions that can have major consequences if the right decisions are not made. Because we are finite (or limited) in the amount of knowledge that we possess, those of us who are wise seek counsel when making a decision that requires a lot of attention to detail. To facilitate our efforts in making sure our decisions take into account as much information as possible, we have devised practices like checks and balances, boards of directors, congress, etc. Even so, none of us are perfect and, more times than not, our decisions turn out lacking complete wisdom.

So when hard decisions come our way, what should we do? Should we depend on human knowledge to help us through? No, as Christians we have the awesome ability to know the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-16). Through the light of Holy Spirit's direction and the Word of God, we are able to find our footing and walk where the Lord guides us. Sadly, instead of seeking the wisdom and counsel of God found in the Bible and through fellowship with Him, many times we seek the counsel of those who who think that the guidance of the Holy Spirit is foolish (1 Corinthians 2:14)--those who are not Christ-followers. The problem with seeking the counsel of those who believe the Word of God is foolish is that we're back at square one: the counsel we are receiving is fallible and does not take all information into account.

Isaiah 40:12-15 reminds us that, when it comes down to it, God knows everything and His counsel cannot be topped, "Who else has held the oceans in His hand? Who has measured off the heavens with His fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give Him advice or teach Him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does He need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach Him what is right or show Him the path of justice? No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand."

Do you allow the will of God to be your ultimate decision maker? Do you involve prayer, meditation of scripture and fellowship with fellow believers in all of the decisions you are faced with? God is so much bigger than what we comprehend Him to be; we have no room to boast about our wisdom because the wisest of counsel here on Earth is much worse than even the least from God (1 Corinthians 1:25). No one can teach Him and no one can trump His knowledge. So, as Christians, the deciding factor in all that we do should be His will. We must meditate on the Word of God and allow our lives to conform to the life He wants for us, not the patterns of this world. Throughout your day, be aware of the amount of decisions you make and strive to seek the counsel of God in order to find what it is He wants you to do. You will find that His counsel is perfect and just, and through your trust in Him, your relationship with and dedication to Him will grow.

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