The hour of decision

Every person who takes part in a sports competition does so to win it.

Only a few make it and even fewer achieve what the swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS did: he won 5 gold and 3 bronze medals at the Olympic Games in Athens (2004) and 8 gold medals at the Olympic Games in Peking (2008).

Michael kept training and decided to continue winning gold medals at the next Olympic Games in London (2012) and Rio (2016).

In many occasions it is exactly about that: to take a decision. The decision to fight, to win and above: all the decision to make it until the end.

How will your race end? What decisions have you made for the future? Often, indecisiveness can stop us when we are only halfway there.

We have all started a lot of “races” but some of us never finish. Why? Maybe because we've forgotten a few vital aspects of good decision-making:

1. Sometimes, not deciding and just “dithering” is worse than making the wrong choice.

2. Always make decisions based on God's principles, as stated in the Bible. Never make decisions based on results alone, for example, “This is more profitable” or “That will work better”.

Sometimes the right choice is not the most profitable, but it is still the one we have to make.

3. Don't choose selfishly. Questions like, How will this affect me? How will I look? are not the best guidelines.

4. All decisions should be made in God's presence. Talk your choices over with Him. Remember He is there for you and cares for you.

5. Have the wisdom to recognise when it is time to press on, and when it is time to stop. Ask God to open doors as necessary, but never kick them down yourself.

6. Deciding to run for the prize God offers you acknowledges the great future that awaits all the children of God.