Greetings!

BlogFam, 

One of the questions I ask myself as I deliberate my current situation and attempt to anticipate the consequences of decisions I make in the present moment is this: LORD, WHAT IS MY NEXT RIGHT STEP?  Now, if you have been reading this blog for a while or have participated in the annual My Vision Fast [www.MyVisionFast.com], then you are familiar with my raising this question with myself and with you.  I know that there are all kinds of decision-making strategies available to us, but this one question seems to capture what I need to know at the time while alleviating some of the anxiety of not knowing every little detail ten steps down the road.

In our last blog, we talked about the DESIRE to shift and now I want us to acknowledge the wrestling that comes once the DESIRE to shift has been discovered within ourselves.  I am aware that it is a common pattern for me as well as many of my family and friends to then DELIBERATE after DESIRE.  By this, I mean, once the DESIRE is discovered, then all kinds of things pop off in our minds and spirit that call for a time of deliberation.  During this time of deliberation we consider pros and cons.  We think about timelines.  We think about partnerships.  We think about money.  We think about how this desire will now impact and influence our spouses, our families, our business partners, our friends, and other relationships.  We wonder about how we will look in the eyes of others.  We hope that we are not being crazy or that our idea is not too far-fetched.  We might even reconsider whether or not the desire we have is for now or for later or if we should pursue it at all.  DELIBERATION.

Friends, I have certainly been there and continue to deliberate in my own life.  DELIBERATION was part of my journey as I considered my academic pursuits, my dating life, the purchasing of my home, the accepting of my call to ministry, and so many other things.  And when the Spirit led me to ask that particular question in the midst of my deliberation several years ago, it opened my eyes, gave me comfort, released my anxiety, soothed my doubts and calmed my fears. [I borrowed the last two from an old Gospel song LOL]  Anyway, let me explain how this one question never gets old AND how it is now the FIRST question I ask in pretty much every moment of DELIBERATION.

FIRST - This question is grounded in Matthew 6:33, one of my favorite verses of all the Bible when it comes to decision making.  " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." [Matthew 6:33]  In other words, the very first person I know that I must acknowledge is the Lord in every area of my life.  Yes, I do draw wisdom from the counsel of many as advised in the book of Proverbs; but ultimately, I seek the peace of God and that can only come if I acknowledge the Lord in my deliberations.  I must seek... WE must seek the Lord FIRST, acknowledge His authority in our lives and His righteous way of being in the world as we are the hands and feet of Jesus.  I know that I can never err if I keep this in mind. 

SECONDLY - This question is very personal.  While I know that the consequences of my choices might impact others, when I ask this question, I am ultimately asking for my own sense of clarity and direction during my deliberation.  I know that it is important to LOVE MYSELF so that I can love my neighbor as myself and when I am clear about God's purpose and vision for my own life, I can be a better neighbor.  And as a good and loving neighbor, I do not have to be jealous or take over assignments that are not mine or tear others down to build myself up or anything else in that vein that is manipulative or conniving.  All of that is a waste of time and energy because I have already been given the direction for my own life and have no time to waste in derailing the destiny of others.  Actually, when I am clear, I can help you because by helping you I am loving you and competition is not a factor because my soul, my spirit is at peace with God.

THIRDLY - The question is directly concerned with the next step one.  I know that last sentence sounds strange but it is true.  I have discovered that when I try to figure out every little detail about my destiny and how the Lord will bring all of my gifts and graces to light in God's overall and seemingly overwhelming plan for my life, I can get a little frazzled and nervous and sometimes I have even wanted to just step back from it all just so I can collect my thoughts.  BUT as I deliberate, if I think about the big picture, at least as much has been revealed to me, and then I ask myself, what is step one in getting there, I feel much better.  Sometimes, I can only handle step one.  Step one might be to pray.  Step one might be to make a phone call or just be quiet.  Step one might be to have another conversation.  Step one might be to download the application.  Step one might be to forgive or read the next chapter or visit a friend.  I have found that I can always handle step one. And as I am obedient to THAT next right step, then the Lord has a way of making everything else clearer... a way of adding all things unto me.

Friends, ask the Lord this question as you begin your deliberation.

Write down your answer and OBEY TODAY.

GOD LOVES YOU AND I DO TOO!

Blessings, Glory, and Sunshine!

Delesslyn