Make Decisions With Faith and ConfidenceSample

Spy Out the Land

Maybe your next step is to “spy out the land.” By that I mean take a trip to visit the new city and check it out, just like the children of Israel did when they arrived at the Jordan River to cross into the Promised Land. Joshua sent a team of 12 into the land of Canaan to see what was there (Numbers13:18-20).

I always encourage people who are thinking about moving or taking a new job to try to first go there and spy out the land. Spend some time just being there, hanging out in the environment you’re thinking of moving to - when you’re in a place you can get a good sense of whether or not you fit there. When you visit a new place, stop frequently and check with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him, “Is this right? Should I keep moving forward?”

The idea here is to just keep taking steps until you either get a red light in your spirit or you’re there! When it comes to making major decisions, I will often take longer to listen. I’ll try on many things, moving ahead step by step and keeping my spiritual antenna up, listening for God’s voice. I will let Him solidify it in my spirit before making a move one way or the other.

If you want a new car, take a step and test-drive a few. If you think God is leading you to start a new business, get online and check out similar businesses, or get information from the Small Business Administration. Maybe you’re trying to decide about going back to school. Maybe start with examining schools that have the programs you’re interested in. Each time you check out a different one, stop to ask the Holy Spirit, “Is this one right?” If you don’t get a no, then keep taking steps toward that school.

Sometimes when I’m trying on a decision I’ll say, “OK, I’m going to do this”; then I’ll stop to see how that settles in my spirit. I’ll let a day or so go by, then I’ll say, “OK, I’m not going to do this” and check: am I getting that smooth, velvety feeling or a scratchy feeling? If I don’t know, I keep checking until I know for sure whether or not to do it.