Life is the Sum of Your Decisions – With No Do-Overs

Get that extra dessert – skip the gym today – have some more fried chicken – put some gravy on those biscuits – grab the soft drink, and skip the Dasani … all of these will have an impact on your health, your weight, your well being. Each decision is small, but together, they impact your whole life.

But this principle is more than just diet and health. Fudge a bit on your taxes (they’ll never know) – leave work a bit early and have someone clock you out (it’s only 30 minutes) – call in sick so you can go to the beach (it is for my mental health after all) – look at that website (no one is around) – sleep in on Sunday (no one will notice I am not at church) … all these decisions impact who you really are and where you are headed.

There are so many verses that show us nothing done in secret will remain hidden – but that isn’t my point today. Today it is about little decisions impact the way your life is in the big picture. Whether health, character, habits, or anything – we are in a journey of 1000s of steps, and each one determines our direction. And, it is the direction, not the intent of the decisions, that determines our destination.

It is the direction, not the intent of the decisions,
that determines our destination

Andy Stanley

As I am looking into the life of Daniel, and his three cohorts, I am seeing the foundation of trusting God and making decisions that are based on Godly wisdom and standards. Building on this foundation and staying true to His standards produce a life of wisdom and stability (not safety, for living for God may be dangerous here on earth – think of the fire pit, of a lions’ den, and of threat of death – pretty serious stuff to have as a result of staying true to God’s ways. But in the end, He takes care of us. And of that I trust.)
What decisions are you facing? What trails are coming your way? Will you stay true to His Word?

But more – what if you have blown it? Made poor decisions? Are headed toward a bad destination? There are no do-overs. Shoes, and life, gets muddy and messy along the way. But there is hope. I close with a great quote I cam across by Martha Robinson.

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning,
but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

If you end up going where you are headed, where will that be? Who will you be?

— therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2.6-7, esv)