Repent: Reconsider How You Make Decisions (Part 2)

Read Time / 2 Minutes

Theme / Faith & Finance

For the first time in my life, I have a mustache.  Since my short stint in India — where I was able to experiment with the cultural facial hair (I mean, I needed to fit in, right?) — I’ve wondered if I brought that look home, would I be accepted.  I wrestled with this very important decision for some time.

Why is it so challenging to make decisions?  The Harris Poll discovered that approximately 1/3 of Americans struggle to make basic decisions.  Lord knows, I’ve wrestled with what to wear for the day or what I was going to eat for lunch.  Yet, as I continue to study God’s Word, I’m constantly humbled and amused at how certain decisions are made.  See Luke 1:8-11 below for my most recent reminder:

Now while [Zachariah] was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

Luke 1:8-11

I’m over here — in Boise, Idaho — stressing about whether or not I should bring the caterpillar back, and Zachariah and his fellow priests are casting lots to decide who’s taking the next shift.  Though casting lots has its lure, Ron Blue, a giant in the Christian Financial Advisor world, agrees we need a process for making decisions, but a process a little different than this ancient practice.  Mr. Blue calls it a decision matrix.  Though the original form is a spreadsheet, you’ll find the key steps below:

1. Pray

2. Define the Decision

3. Clarify Objectives

4. Prioritize Objectives

5. Identity Alternatives

6. Evaluate Alternatives

7. Preliminary Decision

8. Assess the Risk

9. Make the Final Decision

10. Test the Decision

Overwhelmed?  I know I am.  Casting lots seems a lot simpler.  So, why don’t we do that?  The last example of this practice can be found at the beginning of Acts — when the disciples, looking for someone to take Judas’ place, cast lots to decided between Matthias and Joseph.  In the next chapter, God sends our Helper — The Holy Spirit.  

If we are intentional with our decision making process, this matrix can create space for the Holy Spirit to speak to us and, in the process, making us look more like Him. Some decisions have greater impact than others — who should I marry, what house/car should I/we buy, or what hat should I wear to compliment my, as the hip kids say, fit.  

So, after spending more time than was likely necessary pondering this decision, I decided to bring back my whiskers.  After all, it’s just hair.

If anyone wants a copy of the decision matrix, I’ll be happy to send a copy.   Just send me an email.

Ryan De Amicis

Wealth Advisor

408.758.6413

ryan@christianwm.com