MAKING GOOD DECISIONS

Related Scripture:

“My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.  Then you will show discernment and your lips will express what you’ve learned.” Proverbs 5:1-2

When speaking at a baseball umpiring camp, I heard an MLB umpire say: “Umpiring decisions are really simple; ball-strike, fair-foul, and out-safe.”  He laughed and then talked about the complicated situations involved in those decisions.  Decision-making is at the core of officiating in every sport.  Good decision-making begins with a sound knowledge of the rules.  Then an official must concentrate on the play being observed and decide whether the action being observed is within the rules.  That kind of processing must occur in a matter of seconds. Some people are better decision makers than others, but most people can learn to be better at that skill.  Good training programs help officials become better at their decision-making skills.

Outside of your officiating work, you make many decisions each day about a variety of things. Some are for superficial daily routines, while others are deep and life-shaping.  Spiritual decision-making is an ongoing process that has eternal consequences. I believe wise King Solomon was a good decision maker most of the time, so we can look at his words to help us with our decisions.

I have labeled Solomon’s words the L.U.S. process (Listen/Understand/Speak). The order of things in the process is important.  Sometimes we speak instead of listening and before we get understanding.  Here are four practical steps for making the L.U.S. process a part of your spiritual life.

• Tune your ears to God’s wisdom that is found in God’s word.

• Concentrate on God’s messages to gain understanding.

• Seek God’s help for insight and understanding through prayer.

• Keep digging for even more understanding.

  
  

Additionally, we are expected to express to other people what we have learned from God’s wisdom and help them apply it to their lives. The exchange of Godly wisdom and wise counsel is an important part of Christian fellowship among officials as we help one another to grow spiritually.

Questions to Ponder:

Are you consciously working to improve your decision-making skills on the field/court and off?

What part of the L.U.S. process needs more attention in your life?

Ralph Swearngin - FCO Advisor