Come to think of it, life is like a train that never stops. After we alight at the “examination” station, the “result slip” station would soon arrive. After receiving their result slips, parents and students would face another challenge—which school should I go to? Should I enrol at a junior college or a polytechnic? Which university should I try? Which specialty? At this point of time, parents and students are at the crossroad of choices. The decisions we now make would have a great impact on our future. Therefore, before we decide, everyone should think hard and long about it. To make a wise choice, most of us would gather as much information as possible, talk to friends, weigh the pros and cons, etc. Due to the great importance of this decision, parents and students worry that any wrong move could result in loss or missing out on a brighter future. Being worried and anxious are natural responses for anyone because we have a limited foresight and are hence unsure about our future.

As a matter of fact, what we talked about previously are just a small part of the decisions that we need to make in our lives. As a Christian, how do we make the right decision? While we are making decisions, how important is God in this process? “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land” (Psa 25:12-13). The God on whom we believe and depend is omnipotent and omniscient. Everything is within His control. He is good and upright. His intention is to guide the lost towards the right path (Psa 25:8). Therefore, we do not need to worry about any mishap that would befall us in the future. Although we often seek God just for our own safety, God still has mercy on us. But the main reason why we seek God’s will is that we could make decisions that bring glory to God. They are decisions made on God-centred reasons.

We make the best decisions if we seek God’s will. But how do we seek God’s will? First, we should study God’s word. What does the Bible say regarding our situation and the challenges we face? “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). God’s guidance would not go against the principles of the Bible. When we make any decisions, we must first measure it against the principles of the Bible’s teachings, whether they are for or against what the Bible teaches. This includes the motive in the making of these decisions. We must be honest in examining our motives in making these decisions because what could look good and biblical on the outside may not be pleasing to God in terms of motive. In the process we must not forget to pray, to ask God for wisdom to know His will, and also to ask God to help us to be humble enough to obey and not insist on our own way. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (Jas 1:5). We should also listen more to other people’s opinion and those have relevant experience in these matters, especially mature Christians. Many times, God uses Christians around us to act as our reminders. What we need is a teachable heart: “the ways of fools seems right to them, but the wise listens to advice” (Prov 12:15). Before we make any decision, be sure to seek God first. When we come with a heart that fears God and to understand His will, we would surely be guided by God’s peace. This peace does not mean smooth sailing in everything we do, but it is being unafraid even in the face of great winds and waves because we have God’s presence.

translated by Elaine Chew