My Daily Pause

The Decision of Decisions

Sometimes we are tempted not to make decisions

How we live and who we surround ourselves with have a lot to do with how we’ll react to life. The way we react to life is made up of the chain of decisions we make to get through the day. Sometimes we even decide not to make a decision (which is still a decision!) – we just let happen what may.

What drives our choices?

• The roar of a crowd of strangers
• Approval of others
• The subtle hints of a friend
• What we feel in our heart
• Experience

Pilate had all of these things at work when he faced the decision of whether to acquit Jesus. He knew deep down Jesus was innocent. His wife did her best to confirm it. In the end, he let the masses guide his decision not to decide, and released another who did not deserve freedom. (Matthew 27:15-23) Pilate literally washed his hands of it!

How often do we get the chance to influence the outcome of an event but fail to speak up?

• We vote for those who would legalize abortion or legitimize sinful lifestyles
• We attend parties or events in places Christians shouldn’t be
• We dress in the “fashionable” way
• We don’t correct those in our presence.

Just like Pilate, we often let things happen – the wrong things – because we decided not to act or speak. Even when we have enough influence to have changed the outcome!

James 4:17 describes exactly what I mean.

Daily Bible reading for July 20

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Joshua 22
Jeremiah 14:1-15:9
Matthew 27:1-26