We live in a world of unlimited options. While standing in line at our local Chick-fil-A, the number of choices is daunting. Yes, I understand that it’s all chicken. Even so, how many different ways can one fast food restaurant prepare poultry? If I find it difficult to decide on a simple meal selection, what about all the other more complex choices I face every day? Choosing wisely can be a challenging task even for the best informed of us.
For the average American, decisions at Chick-fil-A are easy in comparison to the array of options in our everyday lives. Did you know that there are 1.8 million free apps available for an iPhone? If I use the Amazon app to shop for a book, they have nearly 2 million titles in print ready for delivery the next day with just a touch of a button. Perhaps I might like a cup of coffee to drink while I read my new book. At Starbucks, I may choose from 87,000 different combinations of drink possibilities. It makes me dizzy thinking about it!
In reality, access to a daily glut of information overwhelms many of us. Some call it “information overload.” The internet brings us news from just about every place on the globe. However, much of it only serves to feed our level of anxiety. Through cable channels, Netflix and others like these, we are offered unlimited programming options 24/7. A number of programs are uplifting and educational. At the same time, the amount of violence portrayed over our screens continues to increase. Choosing wisely means knowing when to simply turn the information stream off.
From minor to major decisions, the choices we make reflect our basic belief system. We may not even realize it but our internalized world view affects even our simplest selections. If we believe that our life circumstances all occur by chance like a roll of the dice then we may conclude that none of our choices matter. Dedication to a greater cause seems futile. What difference could we make anyway? In this worldview, only the strong survive so looking out for our own self-interest makes sense. Karma and good luck are our only hope.
In contrast, if we believe that our lives are not random but part of a much bigger story, then we conclude that everything we do matters immensely. The most insignificant decision may have momentous consequences. We must weigh our choices carefully, examining their effect not just on ourselves but on others as well. Rather than self-serving, this world view focuses on serving others. Our hope is in a cause much greater than ourselves.
When making decisions, the lens through which we look at the world makes a huge difference. At first glance, it might appear that the servant focused worldview would make decision making more difficult. When the welfare of others is included in all our choices, we must consider our options carefully. However, let us not forget that we have a perfect example of this worldview to imitate.
The life of Jesus during his 3 years of ministry gives us the ideal template to follow. Every decision He made was with others in mind, even His choice to die on a cross. He came to serve rather than be served and he invites us to do the same. By following in His footsteps, we became participants in the greatest story ever told.
In all of history, we’ve never had so many choices available to us. Choosing wisely in a world of unlimited options is a formidable task. However, if we open our hearts and minds to Jesus, His Spirit will direct us in our decision-making. Whether these choices are insignificant or life altering, His guiding hand will lead us in the way we should go.
Thank you, Suzanne. I have come to realize that this is the only way we should live!