I wrote earlier about changing our definition of success from results to faithfulness. If we’re faithful, we are successful – no matter the outcome.
But there’s a corollary to this point that we must not forget.
We have to be faithful to make good decisions with the information available to us, but we can’t worry about information that we don’t possess.
Faithful Not Omniscient
It’s easy to beat ourselves up when we make a decision and the winds change. If only we had waited. If only we had acted sooner. If only we had gone this way instead of that. If only we had predicted this event. If only…
So much of the world is, after all, beyond our control. It makes sense that the results of our decisions would be based on factors that we couldn’t see.
But the great thing is we’re not expected to see them.
We are expected to be faithful, not to be omniscient. We make wise decisions in the present without full knowledge of the future.
Risk Is Inevitable
This means that we will subject ourselves to risk.
Sure, it’s wise to manage that responsibly. Sure, it’s wise to do our best to predict future events and decide accordingly. Those are just elements of faithful decision making.
So decide. Pull the trigger.
Pray.
And if things don’t work out the way you hoped they would, relax.
Re-evaluate. Learn from your mistakes. Keep making decisions faithfully.
Leave the rest in the hands of the God who does know the future. Leave the results up to the God who doesn’t risk anything.
Photo Credit: Garry Knight (Creative Commons)
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