Perhaps you’ve said or thought these words before. “But God.” I am almost certain that I have. Sometimes, it was at a time of disappointment over a situation that went bad. Perhaps I had prayed that someone might get well. Instead, that person died. I have asked at times, “But God, why did this have to happen?”
There are some, however, who may use these two words at they grapple with decision making. Perhaps the issue is ethical or moral. Sometimes the issue may simply be, “I know what God says in Scripture but I just don’t want to do this.”
“I know what God says about lying, but I don’t see what is so wrong with not telling the truth in this transaction, it could cost me money.”
“I know what God says about sex outside of marriage, but this is what I want to do.”
“I know what God says about stealing, but God knows I am really a good person and have a good heart.”
“I know what God says about hatred, revenge, etc. but after after what she said about me, this is what I am going to do.”
It occurred to me one day as I grappled with a decision that sometimes the issue is the place of Jesus as Lord. Paul even reminds us, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” As a Jesus follower, I am called to put these decisions in the context of Lordship faith. Is this a decision that pleases the Lord Jesus? Does this decision reflect my surrender to him as Lord?
My own pride may say, “I know better” or “I know what I am doing” or even “I know what is right but this is what I am going to do anyway.” Yet, I may need to ask if my decision reflects my pride (in thinking I know what is best) or does it reflect my confidence in the Lord Jesus (trusting his goodness and character)?
These decisions can be hard — really hard. Yet, it may be helpful to remember our baptism. It may be helpful to remember confessing Jesus as Lord, and dare to trust him with all of life.