Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe

Author: Lisa Vaught

Acts 1:24-25—Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs.

Decisions, decisions, decisions! We are surrounded by the need to make decisions. Some can seem trivial, while other decisions are more serious. “Should I eat Cornflakes or Raisin Bran this morning?” just doesn’t compare to “Should I quit my long-time job for this opportunity with another company?”

Right now, in the Vaught household, our youngest daughter Clarissa is wrestling with the decision of what to do after this senior year of high school. So many possible career choices, multiple education or training avenues, the consideration of financial stability for the future, and the desire to enjoy the path chosen churn around inside the mind, weighing on her as it does every senior.

I have heard it said that making decisions is mostly just gathering the facts. I mean, what I choose to eat can solely be determined by what is in the pantry or what choices are the healthiest.

However, just gathering the facts leaves out a very important element – God’s guidance. As Christians, we must consider what path God is directing us to follow in life’s little and big decisions.

When Jesus ascended back into heaven, His disciples gathered in Jerusalem as Jesus had directed them. Their discussions must have been full of the testimonies of the 3 ½ years they had followed Jesus on earth - His teachings and His miracles. The turn of events that happened in the last few months would have also come up in their conversations. One of twelve of Jesus’s closest group, Judas sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and the religious leaders connived their way into the Roman political and judicial scene to have Jesus tried, sentenced, and executed. This would have been a sore spot of discussion – what betrayal they must have felt.

In Acts 1, starting in verse 16, Peter reminds of prophecies that foretold all this. Then, Peter charged the disciples to select another member to replace Judas. It needed to be someone who had been following Jesus, who had learned from Him, and who could bring testimony to all that had happened during Jesus’ ministry. So, the disciples gathered the facts by assessing all the men in the room who fit the criteria they were looking for in a replacement. Two men were found to qualify: Joseph and Matthias.

Now, what? How would they choose? Peter and the other disciples sought God’s guidance and direction. “Then they prayed, ‘You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs’” (Acts 1:24-25).

Instead of just gathering the facts and then going “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” to determine what path to take, we need to follow the example of the disciples by seeking God’s guidance through prayer. When we follow God’s direction, there will be peace in our hearts despite what the facts may show. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding, in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:4-6

Reflection

What decisions do you need to turn over to God’s guidance so you can have peace?