Tension to Pay Attention to

Written by Ian Jannaway

Lead Pastor Jonathan Gullo today brought us part three on the series ‘Better decisions fewer regrets’.

He posed the question “why are people who are drunk inclined to make bad decisions?” It’s because they are unable to pick up on verbal and non- verbal cues. Hey, but so are sober people!

This probably means that there is a tension that probably deserves your attention right now, are you ignoring it? What is the decision you trying to ignore? What are the voices that we are hearing from the world or in our head?

Jesus said that he would send the Holy Spirit to help us as advisor, counsellor, someone who could help us make decisions, if we only accept the help.

Not an ordinary voice, but divine help!

Let’s look at an episode from  David’s life, some 1000 years before Jesus was born. King Saul is searching for David in order to kill him.

1 Samuel 24:3

He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.

David had two decisions to make, 1/ kill the king and become king himself, 2/don’t kill the king who is trying to kill me! David hesitates. He feels a tension. He is trying to filter the voices he is hearing.

24:4  The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[b] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

We need to decide between the voices we listen to and the ones we ignore, David’s men were trying to superimpose God’s will on David. Decisions are never made in an emotionally neutral environment. We prefer to be happy now over healthy later. Lets read on to see what happens next-

24:5-7  5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

The closer you get to making a decision the tension rises, it’s a tension that deserves your attention. Don’t ignore it explore it. David realised that  in the moment he could not predict the outcome of his actions, if he killed Saul he would always be known as a king killer, not a good reputation to have!

He says to Saul:

24:12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.

In the new testament it says this, Titus 2:11-12

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Today call on Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit when you have decisions to make and see the difference it makes!