Google how many decisions the average person makes in a day, and you’ll most likely find a number around 35,000. Apparently, over 200 of those decisions are about food, and about 70 of them are considered difficult. If those numbers are correct, that’s around one billion decisions in a lifetime, with over two million being challenging, and roughly six million about food.

That’s crazy. How do you make all those decisions? No doubt with a lot of mental energy and advice. But even with that we’re often still left wondering if we made the right choice.

No Regrets

It use to be a more popular slogan. Today, it’s still a desired experience but hard to obtain.

This is a struggle every Christian faces in their pursuit of God’s will. We want to know God’s will. We want to know what God wants and to be doing it. Something tells us that “no regrets” can’t happen apart from that.

Thankfully, perfection isn’t a prerequisite for a glorious relationship with Christ – well, perfection is, just not our perfection. Christ has destroyed the barrier between us and God. We have peace because Christ abolished the wall of perfection we could never climb. We come to God and receive favor not because we’re perfect, but because Christ is perfect. Christians have no reason to fear God’s wrath (Eph. 2:14-16).

That being said, Christians have been freed to live for God. In fact, we want to live for Him. It’s not because we have to, but because we want to. Over the next few posts (eventually), I want to provide a few questions that I believe can be used to amplify your desire and ability in making God-honoring decisions.

The first question is the most broad, yet often strikes the deepest. I’ll lead into it with a story that originally planted the question in my mind.

About a month ago, as I sat through a leadership conference at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, a former SEAL shared some stories from his time in combat. He shared how he was severely injured during a night operation and a nearby SEAL saved him before it was too late. Throughout the rest of his time traveling, because of his injuries, he felt useless. Depression became a major struggle as he recounted all the things he should have done better. But there was one thing that kept him from giving up. He said that when someone saves your life, you have the responsibility to live your life to the fullest because someone else risked their life for yours.

Tissues were being pulled out everywhere, and I sat there inspired yet wishing everyone in the room knew of the Savior that died for them.

Nothing can change someone’s life like someone else dying for it, and that’s exactly what Jesus did for everyone.

I sinned. I deserved death. But Jesus took my place. He proved His love on the cross by dying for me, and it’s that love that motivates me to live for Him. It’s that love that motivates every Christian to live for Him.

So the question to consider as you envision your week and plan your schedule is, “Did Christ die so I can live this way?” It’s a question that goes deeper than just the things your doing, but the way you’re doing them. It’s a question that helps you avoid apathy and selfishness as it points you to a greater purpose beyond yourself.

If you’re tempted to sin, ask the question in a more pointed way: “Is this something that nailed Jesus to the cross?” Make your temptation come face to face with the love of Christ.

This is a way to remind yourself that Jesus didn’t just die; He died for you. Give your life to Him because He gave His life for you.

What could be a better motivation? Jesus laid down His life on your behalf. Let that love keep your life on track.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this… [Christ] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

– GM