Where do we Go from Here?

It is often said that our choices define us and who we will become. But one must understand that after every decision lies another choice waiting to be made.

I often have conversations with clients who spend their energy ruminating on choices they made in the past. Years later- when they realize they walked through the wrong door, they can’t and won’t let it go.

God- in his graciousness- created free will. We have the opportunity to choose and act and make decisions he would not have chosen for us.

But- I hope you hear this today- that one choice does not define you. You can’t let it haunt you for the rest of your life.

Once I had a client who could not get over one decision she had made because it affected the rest of her life. She blamed her current misery on the choice. She used it as justification. Was it a big decision? Yes. And, sure she may ever have walked through the wrong door twenty years before, but she had essentially let this choice define her. It was the source of her discontent and striving.

My response? I said, “While it may be true that you walked through the wrong door then- you can’t change it. It is over and done with, so how can we move forward and where do we go from here.”

Later she told me that this statement was the catalyst that sent her heading in a different direction.

Every step we take in life grants us choices, pathways, forks in the road, doors to walk through- so many choices. Overwhelming. Never ending. I could never do this right!

But that is where grace comes in. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. He looks forward and moves forward with us. He doesn’t look back on us in condemnation. He looks at us with love.

Think about the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. She was thrown in front of Jesus, naked, exposed- vulnerable.

He could have berated her.

But he said- “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” And again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. (John 8).

Not only did Jesus not condemn her but he stooped down to her level. He did not reprimand her. He loved on her and showered her with grace.

The young woman may have gone through the wrong door at that point in time- but notice how Jesus looked at her- with love!

It doesn’t matter the door that was previously behind you- but the most important door- is the one you are about to walk through.

Where you have been does not determine where you are going. Let me say that again. What you have done does not determine who you are or who you will be.

Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

As you make your next decision, consider, the decision itself, the pros and cons, biblical wisdom, and Spirit’s prompting.

Each door leads to the next set of doors. It is ok to wrestle with the decision and direction and ask God questions. He encourages us to discuss and consult with him.

Even though we have free will doesn’t mean we should disregard God’s expert and wise counsel.

In fact, there is an entire book in the Bible dedicated to Biblical wisdom- a little taste of wisdom from above.

What does God say about this topic? Consult Proverbs- seek to fill your mind with wisdom and it will shape the way you think.

Next, an individual should align himself or herself with the prompting of the Spirit. As I discussed in mt 2018 posting on discerning God’s voice.

Read your Bible. Learn what God’s voice sounds like. And learn how he speaks to you.

Once you become accustomed to the movement of the spirit- it will become increasingly easier to know where and how God is moving. After a while- his “no,” “yes,” “not yet” will become more prominent.

First, you must be trained in the spirit, then and only then will you be able to discern the Spirit’s prompting.

God gives us free will- but he doesn’t berate us- when we walk through the wrong door. In fact, he often us grace upon grace (John 1:16) and says let me lead you by the right hand (Isaiah 41:13) into my ways everlasting (Psalm 139:24).

Never let your past define your future. Lean in on his grace, fill you mind with his wisdom and your soul with his Spirit and he will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6).