"You are only one decision away from a totally different life."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From aTotally Different Life (Kindle Location 296). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

As I think back on my life, I realize how true this is.

The one decision that I made as a teenager to let God have total control of my life has lead me to where I am today. The decision to marry my wife, Margaret came from that decision. The decision to become a staff minister and then to become a church planter came from that. The decision to have children has led to so much joy. The decision to retire has led to such a productive life of extended ministry. That decision will also lead me to and eternal reward after this life is over. My life would have been so different if I hadn’t stood in that auditorium in Winona Lake, Indiana and said out loud, “Here an I, use me.” That was a defining moment in my life that even brings some emotion in me as I remember it right now.

Now there were some other decisions that blew me off course for a while but then another decision that brought me back on course.

The key decision for any of us is the decision of “I have decided to follow Jesus” no matter when that comes. That decision affects all other decisions and also the decision to not be a Christ follower is a decision for a totally different life.

I know of some who as young adults decided they didn’t want to follow the ways of their Christian parents and they decided to live their life without Christ and that effected the key decisions that they will be making. Into their 30’s they come back but their major decisions of who they married and what career they had were made without God’s direction and that took them in a totally different direction. Now God can still bring good out of all our lives when we allow Him to have control no matter when we do it. That is the kind of God we have. But there can also be some regrets.

I have felt that one of the greatest benefits of having a relationship with Christ is this benefit of His direction in the decisions of my life. I can go to someone who created me, who knows me inside out and who also sees the future. That has and is one of the greatest keys to my life. God has been and is so good. My decision to follow Him totally has made all the difference in my life.

So have you made that decision to follow Him?

Comments

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