Through Scripture and history, think of the enormous consequences or rewards of one quick decision. Think of Abraham and Hagar (the middle east debacle). Lot and his tent (Sodom, his family, and generations to come). Eve and the fruit (the fall of mankind!). Esau’s birthright (losing the eternal blessing). Dinah and Shechem (lost purity). There are scores of bad examples. But there are many good ones. How about when the Lord called Abraham, and immediately he followed, not knowing whither he went? How about the disciples’ immediately heeding the call to follow Christ? What about Noah and the construction of the ark? And the list could go on. In the passage below, Peter’s quick decision to go back to fishing (back to his old life) influenced six others to go with him.
John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, we also go with thee. They went forth and entered a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing.
Today, I am reminded of the weightiness even split moment decisions can have, as well as the effect they can have on many others—for good or for bad. My father decided on the spur of the moment to go to Bible college, and my uncle decided to go too. Communities and scores of lives have been changed because they did. I think of Pastor Meyers’ testimony where his pastor said, “You ought to go to Bible college,” and in a moment, the course of his life was altered. We’ve all had men influence us greatly because, in a moment’s time, they made a wholesome decision to follow the Lord.
But we’ve also seen the contrary. We’ve seen heartbreak, tragedy, and multi-generational consequences because, in a moment of time, one person made the wrong decision. It might be in a moment of weakness, doubt, pressure, or temptation, but the reason doesn’t matter. The consequences will follow.
When the Lord prompts us to do something, or the Spirit burns within us to follow, give, make a move, sacrifice, or make a change, let’s be willing to decide, instantly, and obediently, in faith, to do so. However, might we also remember that if we sin, stumble, or fall—even if it’s a spur of the moment decision– that decision may affect our family, our friends, those under our influence, and more for many years to come. The life decisions we make today—even the “spur of the moment” ones, are important. Let us then make decisions wisely!
