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Congratulations to all the graduates! Remember the excitement and apprehension before your graduation? The future looked like a wide open field of countless possibilities and opportunities. So many decisions to make! More school? Get a job? Stay close to home or move away? These are just a few questions that young adults have to answer.
Graduates aren’t the only ones facing life decisions. Over time we may decide to go back to school, change jobs, or move. No matter our age or education level, we’re always called to give to society in a positive way. Deciding on what that looks like can be a challenge.
We may ask ourselves: “How does our Lord want me to use my particular skills? How can I use my gifts to contribute to society and to the needs of others?” As we get older, our questions may switch from “What career do I want to pursue?” to “Now that the kids are grown and gone, what’s my role?” or “Now that I’m retired, how will I use my time?”
Our Lord has given each of us a unique combination of our personality, talents, and circumstances. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your strengths, your weaknesses, and your potential. He knows what brings you toward Him and what pulls you away from Him. He knows your heart, and He knows your motives. He sees you, He knows you, and He loves you. He wants you to have His peace – the peace that comes from following Him and uniting your will with His.
Regardless of your age, whenever you’re presented with an opportunity, or are facing a dilemma, pray first. Let Christ guide your mind and heart toward Him and what He wants you to do. Pray, and ask Him what He wants for you. Pray, and ask what He wants from you. Pay attention to what comes to mind. When you consider your options prayerfully, you allow our Lord to direct your steps toward what will bring you and others closer to Him. The key is to make these decisions with prayer. Christ will lead you to His peace if you ask Him to.
Praying before deciding isn’t just for life decisions. Every day, we’re presented with situations that require a decision. For example, we decide what to watch on TV and what sites to visit on the internet. We decide whether to be kind or irritable toward the wait staff when the service is slow. In how we treat our coworkers and family members, in the emails and texts we send, and in how we spend our time, we have countless decisions to make. Stop and ask our Lord if what you’re about to do or say is pleasing to Him. Then, pay attention to how your mind and heart respond.
Pray first. Then, you can decide.
“You, Lord… know the hearts of all.” – Acts 1:24
“Lord, guide my decisions on what I do and say today.”
Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell Comments are always welcome!
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P.S.
Pray for peace in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, at home, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.
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