The Life Decision Paradigm
As we go through life, we make decisions constantly. But where do those decisions lead us? I have pondered this over and over. Let’s explore the life decision paradigm.
Decision 1
When I was in college, I had an internship at Yellowstone National Park, and I loved it. My boss offered me a full-time position after I completed college. But, when I got back to college, I was offered a full time position with a major company for a lot of money. And, I decided to accept the position with the major company.
How would my life be different if I went back to Yellowstone?
Decision 2
My first job after college was in California. But, I wasn’t crazy about California and I wanted to return to the East Coast. Back in those days, I got some newspapers and started responding to ads. Almost immediately, a company in Pennsylvania responded and told me they wanted to fly a person out to interview me. I was offered the job not long after the interview and I decided to accept the position.
How would my life be different if I didn’t decide to respond to that ad or if I didn’t decide to accept the position?
Decision 3
My job required a lot of travel, and I got technical support from the home office. When I was on the phone with a girl, she was very nice and helpful. In fact, I told my partner that I was going to marry her. When I returned from the trip, I needed to stop in the office in the early evening. By chance, she stayed at the office late that day and I got a chance to meet her in person.
How would my life be different if I decided not to stop at the office or if she decided not to stay late?
Decision 4
After the company holiday party, I asked the girl to go dancing. While we were dancing, it started snowing a lot. At the end of the night, we got in our cars to go home. I told her I would follow her home to make sure she got home safe.
What if she decided not to come dancing or I decided not to follow her home?
Decision 5
I ended up dating that girl for a long time. Then, I asked to her to marry me. She said yes, and we got busy starting a family right away.
What if she said no to my proposal and what if we were unable to have children?
Conclusion
I honed in on one series of decisions that led me to my wife. But, there were a lot of forks in the road that could have changed the course. We make decisions constantly. But, I believe God has each of us on the course He has chosen.
Don’t let this blow your mind, but I believe I would have found my wife and had our children no matter what decisions I made. I believe that was God’s destiny for me.
I have labored over this paradigm my whole life. And, I always thought our decisions charted our course. I was wrong.
