“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are” (Quotations about Decisions). As Christian young people, we have been taught from our youth what our values are. The values we hold as Christians, such as the teachings of the Bible, are reflected in the decisions that we make. The decisions that young people make reflect to the world the values they believe and hold to, and their actions serve to represent the whole of their community. When making life decisions, it is important for Christian young people to not only look to their parents and friends for guidance, but they must also look to God’s word.
As young children, all the important decisions in our lives were made for us by our parents or others around us, but as we grow older, the responsibility to make the right decisions for our lives falls to us. There are many decisions to make. Some are significant, such as college and career choices, and others are not so important in the grand scheme of things, such as where you go on vacation or how often you hang out with your friends. At the time, all of these things seem important to us though. Christian young people must look carefully in God’s word for guidance in decisions such as those dealing with future careers and goals, marriage, church, and all other necessary decisions.
As Christian young people leave high school and go to college, they must be careful that they make the right decisions for their future career and goals. When considering job possibilities, Christian young people should prayerfully consider what gifts they have been given from God and how they can use them to help others. 1 Corinthians 10:31 states that, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” The decisions that are made about future work possibilities and the goals we hope to accomplish should be focused on the biggest goal of serving God in all we do. When a career is chosen, young people should not only enjoy what they will be doing, but they must also see how God will be glorified in it. If we have been given a special gift to reach out to people or in some way help others, then we have the responsibility to use that gift to help others. Spending time in the word and in prayer leads Christian young people to make God-glorifying decisions.
Young people are also faced with decisions about dating and marriage. They must decide whether or not they will date someone, or if it is more serious, whether or not they will get married. This is a huge decision to make, and before it is made, a young person must look to God’s word for guidance. God’s word speaks a lot about this topic and much can be learned by reading it. The seriousness of marriage and how it is a picture of Christ’s love for the church is clearly shown in Scripture. It is necessary for a Christian to know and understand this. One of the places where we read about marriage and Christ’s love for the church is in Ephesians 5:21-33. This passage is important, and there are many others that teach about marriage in the Bible that should also be considered. All Christian marriages should reflect that relationship of Christ and the church that the Bible teaches us, but it is a difficult thing to do, and anyone entering a relationship should prayerfully consider it. Understanding what the Bible teaches about marriage will help guide the Christian in that decision.
Another very important area where we need guidance from the word is in church-related decisions. As Christian young people grow older and learn more about the doctrines of the church, they must realize that they will someday be the leaders of the church. Someday they will be teaching their children about the precious doctrines that the church teaches. In Acts 20:28 we read, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” It is important for young people to commit themselves to the church, to profess their faith, serve in the church, and use their gifts to benefit the church. In order to make this decision, the young person must first experience the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. The reading and studying of the word is necessary for this to happen. Christian young people should be eager to be involved in Bible studies, service, leadership, and other activities.
Sometimes we can miss it or forget it, but all the guidance that we need for our lives is given in the Bible. Whenever we have struggles and have to make hard or even seemingly easy decisions, we should always turn to the word of God and hear what God has to say about how we are to live our lives. The book of Proverbs is filled with wise advice, as are the parables of Christ, but these two places are just some of the many places that give us guidance. If by our reading of Scripture we understand how we are to lives our lives to God’s glory, then all the decisions that we had previously struggled to make will seem less difficult in light of God’s word and his will for our lives.
It can be easy for young people to feel overwhelmed by the decisions they have to make, but we have a place that we can always turn to. This place is the word of God. Scripture gives guidance on how to make decisions about future careers and goals, marriage, church, and any other issues that may come along. We do not need to spend time worrying about how to make decisions when through Scripture we know God’s will for our life. Time spent in the reading of the word and in prayer is necessary for Christian young people to lead them to make the right decisions for God’s glory.
Works Cited: “Quotations about Decisions.” n.d. Quote Garden. Web. 20 March 2013.