"Sir, how can I be successful as you have been?"
The older man leaned back in his chair and responded, "I can answer that question in two words: right decisions."
The young man looked bewildered. He responded, "But sir, how can I know how to make right decisions?"
The businessman said: "I can answer that question in two words: wrong decisions!"
In Genesis 13, Abram and his nephew, Lot, have been traveling and sharing resources; but quarrels began to occur between their men.
Abram, being wise, suggested that they part company to preserve their unity. He offered Lot first choice of the land. Lot looked east and saw the fertile valleys of the Jordan River. Then he looked west and saw the mountainous regions of Canaan
The decision was easy. He chose the east. The scriptures offer an editorial remark following Lot's decision: "The people of Sodom were evil - flagrant sinners against God."
Time passed.
In the next chapter, a war broke out and Lot (with family and possessions) was captured by a neighboring king. Abram formed an alliance to rescue Lot.
More time passed.
God sent angels to destroy Sodom (where Lot lived) and Gomorrah. Abram bargained with God for the salvation of Sodom. God, in His grace, rescued Lot and his daughters from Sodom before it was consumed with fire.
Back to Lot's initial decision.
Was a quick decision the best route? Was it wise to choose the easy path? the fertile plains? the well-watered areas? "How'd that work out for you, Lot?"
Hardship is not always to be avoided. Sometimes effort is rewarded with muscle, experience, and associations. All of which were a blessing to Abram!
To make wise decisions we must factor in more than ease. Wise decisions may incur risk. Perhaps even hardship.
Things that might help:
- take time to think.
- take time to pray.
- talk with trusted advisors.
- search the Bible for wisdom.
- make a list of pros and cons.
- consider the possible ramifications of your decisions.
The Road Not Taken
ReplyDeleteTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference . . .