3 Tips on How to Make Wise Choices: Reflections on Spain, Part 6

Several years ago, I started the tradition of choosing an item to photograph when I visit another country.  It's really fun to do as it takes me on a scavenger hunt of sorts and gives me a travel theme to ponder during my sojourn.  

When I went to Spain this summer, I had chosen to snap pictures of doors.  

I found doors made of wood, wrought iron, and glass in untold shapes and sizes.  Some "gates" stood majestic, stately, and positively gargantuan.  On one cathedral, I even snapped a pic of doors (they looked like flaps) carved out of a larger door that probably was seldom opened.  Other entrances appeared much smaller, unassuming, even rickety. 

​A few doors boasted ancient fixtures, such as golden knobs, handles, and hinges.  Maybe the door was paneled, had intricate carvings, or multiple pegs, bolts, heavy bars, numeric indicators, kick plates. Some doors displayed graffiti from our modern day era.   

What do doors represent or symbolize to you?    

Perhaps they denote possible choices we are faced with, a means to communicate (or not), as well as conduits to something new or different in our lives.

CONJUNCTION
​The first thought for many folks is that doors represent possible choices that we are facing.  These gateways exemplify options, decisions we are to make, and selections (think of "The Lady, or the Tiger" and even the popular game show "Let's Make a Deal").  ​

Doors mark a distinct point between "here" and "there."  They are the conjunctions that serve as pivoting or connecting points between what was, what is, and what will be.   

COMMUNICATION
​Doors may represent a place where folks communicate and take care of business.   When you hear the rap on the door, you know that someone has a question, someone needs you, someone wants to sell something or share something.  If you open the door, there will be something to discuss  during the exchange.  

​Spiritually, when the heart's door is open, one desires to commune with God--God is welcome to enter there amidst tears and prayers.  Open heart doors are verbal expressways for repentance.  

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and will dine with him,
and he with Me....'
Revelation 3:20

TRANSITION
Doors are passageways, thresholds from one place to another.   They are channels that lead us from "here" to "there." 

​We may need to boldly step forward and not look back.  Sometimes we stand at the threshold, perhaps paralyzed by fear and uncertainty.  Maybe we keep looking back, ever so hesitant to take that first step toward change or a new season of our lives. 

THE 3 P's for Making a WISE DECISION

• Some decisions we don't much think about because we do life a bit on auto pilot.  The alarm goes off, we shower, and have a cup of coffee.  We simply grab the keys and go. 
• Other decisions cause us to pause for a moment to process.  Should I buy this pair of shoes?  Do I really need them?  
• And then there are decisions that we agonize over.  We know they will change our lives.  Is this the right house for us?  Is he the spouse God has for me?  Should we move to Oregon?  For making wise decisions that are of a more critical nature, you might try this 3 P Approach:

1)  POSTPONE
If you really do not know which decision to make, if you're feeling conflicted, postpone making the decision.  You may be feeling the "heat" around you, but it is better to delay the decision if at all possible.  Choose to wait.  You certainly want some degree of peace and assurance as  you move forward.   Buy some time.  Ask yourself:

• What is the last possible date I have in order to make this decision?
• Can this date be changed?

2)  PREPARE
Prepare yourself to make a calculated, informed decision.  Pray.  Seek counsel.  Make pros/cons list.  Research.  Remember:  the "heart" can be quite selfish and self-focused.  Often, we want the quick way out or the path of least resistance.  Choose to be a brave, sacrificial hero instead.  Chuck the fear.  Take the hard way.  Be sure to ask yourself:

• Whom does this decision affect?  Just me?  Others?  
• What are the costs?
• What do my trusted mentors say (you know, those mentors who speak the truth to us in love)?​

 
3)  PROJECT
Project yourself into the future.  Consider possible consequences and your core values, your growing faith.  Imagine yourself wiser and more mature.  Good decisions produce good consequences.  Bad decisions bring bad ones.  Ask yourself:

• In 10 years, how will the supposed consequences of each possible decision play out?  
• Which option will bring me the greatest regret or remorse? 
• Which selection will bring me little, if any, regret or remorse?

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER?  

Social media aside, it might be helpful to square this decision out right now--you know, the Decision of all decisions, the decision between life and death.

In many decisions we have to make on this earth, we may feel pressure to decide.  This ultimate decision, however, comes with no pressure, no demands, no twisting of the arm.  God is the ultimate gentleman.  He invites; He does not impose.

Jesus unabashedly declares in John 10: 7 and 9:  "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep....I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."  ​Christ is the Door by which you can pass to find "food" or "supplies for true life."  You will encounter moral instruction especially precepts about love.  

Christ, the Divine Door, represents the conjunction, communication and transition all in one. We come face to face with Him.  We talk to Him, and then we experience the privileges of walking with Him, learning how to live properly and understanding how to love.   We are ushered into eternal life.   

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Where are you, dear reader, in this journey?  Do you recognize the Divine Door as the pivot point?  Is your heart keen on hearing the knock?  Do you dare open and walk through?  

If you'd like more information about this type of decision, please send me a DM via Facebook or through email.  I would be thrilled to share my own testimony with you.  

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