The Key to Determining Who to Date, Where to Move, What to Say (and pretty much any decision you'll ever make)

When deciding whether I should date my now husband, I consulted friends.  I consulted family. I even drew a Pros/Cons T chart, but I found myself lost.  Did I want to enter another relationship and possibly endure the pain I’d encountered before?  Did I want to put my heart on the line and end up disappointed?  I knew I had to be sure before moving forward, but I didn’t know what would ensure me.

After receiving counsel from a mentor, Bio and I went on a 30-day fast from each other to seek the Lord.  Yep, for me it was that serious.  I was addicted to my new found freedom in Christ and didn’t want anything or anyone to deter me.  The 30-day fast was to give me time to get over the drunkenness that I’d often feel after meeting someone I was attracted to.  It was to cure my blindness and help me make a conscious decision as to if this relationship was ordained by God or just me simply wanting a man.

Toward the end of the 30 days I felt no better than I did when I started.  I was still so confused.  Did my confusion mean it wasn’t God’s will?  I was at my wits end until the end of day 29.  As I fell asleep that night, I started to imagine the outcomes of both options when I heard God say as clear as can be “If it is my will, I will give you peace.”  ...Again confusion.  What does that mean?  Peace?  I knew what peace was, but I’d never paid much attention to what peace felt like. 

On day 31 Bio called me mid-afternoon. I was at a wedding preparing to sing, but in that moment I felt overjoyed.  I reminded myself God promised me peace not joy and that the two were not one in the same.  I told him I’d call him back later.  Late that night we spoke casually and caught each other up on our lives.  Then finally we got to the future of our relationship.  The elephant in the room was finally addressed and that’s when I felt what God had promised. 

Peace always accompanies the presence of God.  It is an overwhelming confidence that all is well. It is acknowledging the many issues in front of you and yet hearing God call you forward.   I’ve felt this many times in worship and in prayer, but never prior to entering a relationship.  Jesus told the disciples “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)  Peace will keep you calm in a storm and allow you to not only make rational decisions but to maintain your joy as you endure.  Without it you will be filled by doubt, regret, and fear, but with it you can dance in the rain!

Now I chase God’s peace about everything! I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything without the peace of God leading me.  I may not be able to explain the what, when, where, and why about the past or the future, but if God’s peace surrounds me I know everything will be alright.  In this pursuit, my objective is no longer to know the future.  My objective is no longer to figure out all the answers.  My objective is now to live in the presence of God and allow His presence to calm my fears with the ointment of peace. 

It now seems so appropriate for our feet to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”  Psalms 34:14 even says to “...seek peace and pursue it.”  And so I encourage you, no matter what decision you face, before deciding seek God’s peace.  Before taking another step in any given direction ask for the peace of God to lead you.  Trust that God, even on the 29th day,  will meet you where you are and give you a peace that surpasses your understanding.

#WalkTheTalk
-Sarah