Simply Ask First . . .

Very early in our marriage, I struggled to figure out my wife's preferences. Did she desire a quiet dinner at home or a meal at a restaurant? Was it agreeable for me to hang out with the fellows, or did she expect me to keep the weekend open for her? Well instead of guessing, I simply asked her. "I'm fine with either", she replied with a warm smile."I'm just happy you thought of me."

Many times I have wanted to know exactly what God wanted me to do - such as which job to take. I found myself praying for guidance and reading the Bible didn't reveal any specific answers. However, one answer was clear: I was to trust in the Lord, take delight in Him, and commit my ways to Him (Psalms 37:3-5).

At that point I realized that God usually gives us the freedom of choice - if we first seek to put His ways before our own. That means dropping choices that are plainly wrong or would not please Him. It could be something immoral, ungodly, or unhelpful toward our relationship with Him. If you find that the remaining options please God, then feel free to choose from them. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts - hearts that take delight in Him (Psalms 37:4).

Teach me, O God, to place you first in everything that I do. Show me how to take delight in You, that my heart will be transformed to be like Yours.

Do your decisions please God?