Choices

I had an important decision to make Sunday morning. What to wear to church? I promise you I'm not a fussy woman when it comes to getting ready for church or anywhere else. Sure, I like to look nice, but I'm practical. What fits the occasion? What will be comfortable? What's appropriate for the weather? It doesn't take me long to get ready. I value efficiency.

Sunday was different. As I chose what to wear, I complicated the process. In a couple weeks, I'll be travelling for a full week, which means I need five outfits. For five consecutive days I need to have weather-appropriate, travel-friendly, professionally-attractive outfits. All chosen and packed ahead of time. And on Sunday morning, with forty minutes to get completely ready for church, two full weeks before I needed to pack for my trip, I became consumed with planning my 5-day wardrobe.

I stressed over the smallest details. I couldn't find my favorite brown pants. I wondered where a couple sweaters could be. Did I store them or give them to the community clothing store? To top it all off, I was having one of those mornings when I felt a little chubby. Not a good day to model outfits in front of the mirror!

As I stood between my bed, now covered in clothes, and my mirror, not reflecting the image I wanted to see, I suddenly realized...I had taken a simple decision and piled so many more decisions on top of it, I had little hope of getting anything at all accomplished.

Can you recall a time you've nearly paralyzed yourself with a question? Every option or answer turns you this way and that until you're twisted around, disoriented like a blindfolded child playing Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey?

I looked in the mirror and pondered, "What on earth is all this fuss about? Seriously!" Reality struck me.

How often does God present me with a choice, a simple choice, but I begin to wonder...What if I choose this? What if I'm wrong? What if I didn't hear clearly? What if, what if, what if...until I have little hope of getting anything at all accomplished, paralyzed by self-concocted options.

I'm not suggesting all choices God gives us are simple, but I'm admitting I often complicate the choices he gives me. I'm fairly confident you do the same thing. Would you agree?

I urge you to keep today's choices in God's perspective. Keep the blindfold off, and don't let anyone, including yourself, twist you in dizzying circles.

Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. - Hosea 14:9 (NLT)