In the Gray

 

Every crossroads beckons a decision.

Every decision will have consequences.

Every consequence will not only affect us, but many times, other people.

I’ve just walked through a season of decision making in one area of my life. I’m about to enter another. It was stressful. It was exhausting. It can take a toll.

But it’s just part of life.

In these moments of not knowing what to do, it can feel like we are standing in the muck. In a cloud of mist that obstructs our view of the future. A place where our confidence can wane and fear of choosing wrong can overwhelm.

This is the gray.

Are you there now? Standing with your little flashlight attempting to see more than two feet ahead?

Standing in the fog. Contemplating, praying, googling, praying some more. Looking for an answer. Searching for direction?

Perhaps you want to make a job change but you just can’t figure out what to do next.

Perhaps you aren’t sure if the guy you’re dating is God’s man for you or not.

Perhaps you hear the Lord beckoning you to start a new ministry or volunteer your time somewhere…but what if it isn’t Him at all?

Perhaps you’re trying to decide whether or not to have another child.

Perhaps you’re not sure what age you should retire.

Sometimes when we need direction from the Lord, He says “this way” but more often than that, He seems silent. It’s easy in the quiet to think He isn’t listening or He doesn’t care.

Don’t fall for those notions.

All throughout scripture we’re told that God sees and hears His children.

When we are standing in the gray and our heart’s desire is to stay on the path the Lord has set before us, there are a few things we can do, both in between these clouds and when we’re smack in the middle of them.

1. Confess. This is something we don’t like to talk about but it is imperative when we are asking the Lord to draw close. He is holy. He takes our wrongdoings (sin) seriously. I remember as a child being taught a simple analogy about our communications with God. Imagine a pipe line connecting us to Him that we speak to each other through. Our sin is the gunk that can clog up that line. If we want Him to listen to us and we are desperate to hear from Him, we’ve got to clean out the pipe. Admit when we’re wrong.
2. Get to know Him. The older I get, the more I realize that making some of these hard decisions isn’t about an answered prayer to a specific request. Oftentimes, I ask myself that old catch phrase of “What would Jesus do?”. You’ve probably seen those rubber bracelets with WWJD on them to remind us to ask that question. If we get to know His character, we will find that some choices that seem hard, really aren’t hard at all. Spend time in prayer, yes, but read and study His Word. That’s where you will find Him. Learn Him.
3. Seek wise counsel. In order to do this, we have to be listeners. It’s always nice to call a friend and vent about our situation, but, if we aren’t willing to be quiet and listen, we really aren’t looking for counsel. We’re looking for sympathy. Choose who you confide in and listen to with great consideration of their character as well as your own motives. We are smart enough to know who to call if we simply want someone to agree with us. Be wise.

Christ is setting you up to succeed friend. It is not His intention to see you fall on your face or wring your hands over indecision. He is FOR you!

There are going to be times in life when we have to make the best decision we can with the information we have, and when we do, we can count on God to walk with us through those consequences.

So what is it? Where do you need to hear from Him?

Confess.

” Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
   but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. ” Proverbs 28:13 “

Get to know Him.

“I love all who love me.
   Those who search will surely find me.” Proverbs 8:17

 

Seek wise counsel.

“Fools think their own way is right,
   but the wise listen to others.” Proverbs 12:15

 

Dear Lord,

You know my heart’s desire is to walk in the way that you marked out for me since before time began.  I am standing in the gray right now.  Please forgive me of my sin and hear my prayer.  Help me to know the way to go, even if I have to step to the right or to the left in fear and trembling.  I trust You. Thank you that you will never leave me and help me to remember that you have good plans for me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are standing in the gray today, it would be my privilege to pray for you.  No need for specifics, just raise your hand in the comments or shoot me a direct message.

Blessings,

Kellie