Decisions That Are Difficult for Us to MakeChikamu

Agree with God

Prayer is, in essence, a dialogue. Both parties have to express themselves and be willing to seek the greater good. We must listen to God to obey Him, but let us also remember that God wants to hear what we will do with our talents and feelings. This dialogue always honors its participants, recognizing that their forgiveness allows us to speak to them with the dignity of a beloved and redeemed child.

Jesus knew of the greatness of his mission in the universe, but it was in prayer that He could describe to the Father how He felt and his struggles. Being aware of our voice as we pray in an attitude of humble obedience, knowing that God hears and loves us, helps us find a better solution, knowing that the Holy Spirit will guide us.

Jesus laid bare his anguish, sadness, and fear before God. Perhaps we, because of our fallen humanity, must also lay bare our real intentions and the lies that invite us to put God aside when we resist crossing our own bridges.

Jesus shows us that when we pray in great dilemmas, two things happen:

First, we become clear about why we should cross our bridges. We do not listen to a capricious God but to a good, wise, and loving God. Then, the difficult decision moves toward the greater good, and we develop gratitude for the possibility of pleasing the one we love as we build our character for eternity. Jesus Himself said that He did nothing that the Father did not tell Him to do because the Father loved Him and had made Him part of what He would do. Those who dialogue with God can distinguish between mirages and what God has been building for us for eternity.

The second thing is the certainty that we don't cross alone. Although Jesus did not back down in his desire to please the Father, He did do so to awaken his friends. Because of his sacrifice, today, we know that we have his company to move forward. We will probably stop accompanying or letting go of his hand, but prayer helps us to get up and move forward with Him, holding His hand.

Do you feel like you have to abandon a choice that gives you comfort but takes you away from God? Are you anxious or afraid of what you should give up even though you know it's the right thing to do? Let's agree with God to cross the bridge and talk to Him as we cross it. If we fall, let us fall forward and rise from the hand of the Father.

Let's pray: Father, help me overcome my thoughts or excuses. I want to see what you see when making the decisions that cost me. I know there can be a miracle of a quick and easy solution, but if you ask me to forge my character with this, may your presence constantly encourage me. Amen.