The Best Question Ever pt 2 (long post)

This is part 2 of the Best Question Ever, a discussion that I led for The Uprising, our college ministry at our church. I opened part 1 with the idea that many of us have made huge mistakes, and after looking back, wonder how we got there. We discovered that we are masters at self-deception, and can easily talk ourselves into doing something that we know is not good for us. We walked through the 4 questions that we TYPICALLY ask when facing a decision instead of the Best Question Ever.

But it doesn’t stop by simply asking, “What is the wise thing to do?” There is so much more to consider. Simply asking the question may not immediately reveal the answer. If we are not trained to think wisely and make wise decisions, we can still be decieved by the answer that we come up with. The question must then be run through some filters that will help clear the fog of uncertainty away. I’m sure there are many filters, but we talked about 4 in particular.

1. My Future. Hopefully everyone has goals and plans for their life. Hopefully those plans and goals are part of God’s plan for our lives. If they aren’t, well, that is another topic in itself. It’s easy for us to get sidetracked by things that we think are good decisions but lead us farther away from our destiny. But if we take our options, and ask it like this: “In light of my future and where God wants me to be, what is the wise thing to do?” in other words, is this choice going to cause me to linger or launch toward my destiny? Will this choice help me reach the future that God has for me?

A great example of this is a dating relationship. I know of far too many people that get into a relationship with someone because they are attractive, or maybe they have a great personality. But very few people look through the lens of the future when it comes to a dating relationship. Rarely is the question asked, “Will this person help me get to my God-given destiny?” Instead, we look simply at the here and now, and ask, “Can I be happy right now? Even if it’s just for a moment?” Sadly, that type of thinking stems from something very deep, and is a topic for another day. If we focus on what is ahead, and make decisions toward that mark, we will find that less time is wasted cleaning up messes that we made and more time is spent on running towards our goal.

2. My Failures. Everyone has areas where they have failed. Areas where they simply cannot keep it together, and they make mistakes. Areas where they consistently make mistakes in. It could be sin, it could be stupidity. Hopefully, we are aware of those areas, and can put up safeguards to ensure that we don’t fall in them again. Once again, the question applies beautfully here by saying, “In light of my failures, what is the wise thing to do?” If one of our options causes us to entertain an area of personal weakness, it should be avoided at all costs. When we ask this question, the answer once again becomes very clear what we should do. If what I am doing is going to cause me to flirt with the weak areas of my life, then I shouldn’t do it.

An example of this would be drinking. I don’t want to get into the symantics of drinking and what the Bible says. I have seen alcoholism destroy far too many people’s lives, so I choose the side of avoidance. But someone that gets saved that has a history of drinking should not be around other people that are continuing such behavior. I believe strongly in the power of God, but I also believe strongly in the power of poor choices and influences. Continuing to be around the thing that once bound us is a fool’s choice.

3. My Integrity. Sorry, I couldn’t think of one that started with an “F.” Our integrity, our character, who we are, is perhaps the most important thing that we have. I submit that it’s even greater than our salvation. Before stones are thrown at me, let me say it this way. We can be saved, and mess up, and God in his grace forgives us. But we can be saved, mess up, and man may not forgive us. We can do irreparable damage to people and taint their view of God by doig something that destroys our integrity. Granted, our integrity stems out of our relationship with God. I live in holiness because it pleases the heart of God. True integrity comes from a heart that says, “I want to be like Christ.” That is where true character lies, in becoming like Christ.

So then the question becomes, “In light of my character and who Christ is making me, what is the wise thing to do?” Will this choice puncture or propel my character? Will this enhance who I am? Will this lead me into the character of God?

4. My Followers. This one kind of goes with number 3, but I wanted to mention is separately. John Maxwell said that even the most introverted person will influence over 10,000 people in their lifetime. That blows me away. There is always someone that is looking up to you, whether you are making wise choices or not. No matter what you are doing in life, SOMEONE is following you. I have heard it said that you will teach what you know, but you will impart who you are. This involves character (number 3) as well as the followers. Someone is following me, so I must make wise choices for their benefit as well as my own. So the questions becomes, “In light of those that follow me, what is the wise thing to do?”

My choices will affect those that follow me, whether I know they are following or not. I am called to be like Christ, and my actions should exhibit that. Pastor Bret Allen once said, “If I have a bad day, a student could have a bad life.” What this means is that I can have a bad day, but I should handle it the way Christ would. This ensures that I take nothing out on a student, and that they always see the attitude of Christ.