A Foundational Tip For Decision Making.

A Foundational Tip For Decision Making.

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Do you need to make a decision?

Is the decision you need to make causing tension in your life because of the ripple effect? apple 3

How do you make a decision?

We all have our default way of making decisions. Today let me share a helpful tip for making decisions that comes from watching a movie with my kids.

I was watching the movie “Dolphins 2” with my children.  In the movie Dr. Clay Haskett, the owner/manger of the aquarium, needs to make a decision regarding the release of one of the dolphins as it has been successfully rehabilitated after its rescue.  The idea of releasing the rehabilitated dolphin though, creates tension for the characters involved because this may result in losing another dolphin. The rules state that dolphins have to be in twos.   This wouldn’t be such a problem, if it were not for the fact that the second dolphin is what the aquarium had been built around.  At the same time they have a strong emotional attachment and relationship with the dolphin that can never be released back due to a disability.

 

Have you ever had to make a decision that will have a ripple effect of also losing something you love, enjoy or that is good?

 

In the midst of trying to figure out what to do Dr. Clay grabs a drink one night with his father.  During the conversation the father reminds his son about a napkin. When the aquarium first opened , written down on a piece of paper were three words—three words that would be the guiding principle of what they wanted to accomplish and who they wanted to be.

The words were: “Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release.”

 

It is at this point that Dr. Clay is reminded about who he is and what he is all about.  He makes his choice knowing the implications, but sticking to who he wants to be and what is good for the dolphin involved.

In making decisions in our life we need to understand and know the why of what we want to do.

 

Taking time to write down a statement about why we do what we do or want to accomplish, can help us make choices in our life.  For Dr. Clay in the movie he was reminded about who he is and, who he wants to be and the mission\purpose of the organization.

thinkWhat about you?

 

Take some time this week to think this over.

 

Do you own a business or have an idea for one?  What is it you want to do? What is the why and purpose?

 

I think doing this in our own personal life is of great benefit as well.  Creating a life plan is one way to go about this.  Keep it simple and if you need help, please let me know.  I would be willing to coach you through that. Send me an email matthew@matthewlaker.com

 

Knowing the why and what we want can help us make decisions in our life.

Looking for help in Discernment?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

holyspiritbibleRemaining in God’s word helps when we need discernment.  God’s word can shape our perspective on how to view the world, ourselves and God, and this gives help for discernment in our life.

Have you ever found yourself in a place needing discernment? Perhaps you have a choice to make? Perhaps there is someone in your life, and you are needing to know how to respond to them? In 1 John, the apostle John gives some instructions to his people to help with discernment.  In 1 John 2:25-27 there are two reminders that can help with discernment in our life. I will share one here.

John’s church is experiencing some challenges. One group is claiming a new understanding of Jesus.  John gives his church some advice, a place to start that will help them with discernment. Whether that be the need to discern a new spiritual teaching, or direction in our life.

1 John 2:24-25 “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.  If it does, you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.”

“Objectively John was teaching there are objective right beliefs rooted in recitation of the historic facts of our faith” (Burge, Gary. “The NIV Application Commentary: The Letters of John.” Michigan, Zondervan, 1996, p. 131).

However, it is not just the ability to repeat back what John wrote in his gospel.  It is about taking hold of who Jesus is and putting our trust in him.  Often it is when we have forgotten who Jesus is that we have forgotten who we are, and this makes choices even harder.  John is calling his people to not forget who Jesus is, and what they heard in the Gospel of John.

Remaining in God’s word is not just about reading scripture every day.  This is a good discipline, but the discipline does not save us.  Our spiritual disciplines position us to hear from God, and centre ourselves on Jesus.  To remain in God’s word is to let it also take root in our life, and embrace God’s promises and principles for our life.

If you follow Jesus long enough, you know of times when you need some discernment and so you open your bible and hope something comes out.  However, for many you only come out in the end with nothing.

I have observed in life, that through the regularly reflection/meditation of scriptures over time we gain better perspective.  God’s word can shape our perspective on how to view the world, ourselves and God, and this gives help for discernment in our life.

Remaining in God’s word will point us to Jesus, were we can find and live in the promise of eternal life (v.25)

Remaining in God’s word will help in discernment in life.