Do you have to make a decision?

AT one time when I wanted desperately to make a right decision, I continually weighed the pros and cons of a particular course of action. I did earnestly pray for divine guidance, but the mental conflict went on, and I remained undecided. Then, though I did not realize it at first, my prayer was being answered when I was led to mention this challenge to an experienced Christian Scientist. She said with great conviction: ``God will lead you to the decision. You must let Him! Until now, you have been measuring, as you said, the pros and cons, and this has left you confused. Now, as soon as the arguments come, begin to pray--affirm truths of God's presence and care and wisdom. Then you will find He will inspire you as to what to do because you are listening to Him--and His ideas will show you the way.''

I still didn't understand how God would show me what to do, but I resolved to silence instantly, obediently, every mental argument by thanking God for being present and for expressing Himself where I was and for giving me the ability to hear Him. Whenever any argument came to thought I would faithfully abandon it and pray, give praise to God for His judgment and wisdom.

Then, as when a light is turned on in a darkened room, all the thoughts concerning the direction I was to take came flooding into my waiting, expectant consciousness. There was no confusion--all the thoughts were on one side, for one course of action. I knew God was making it crystal-clear what I was to do because I felt such happiness, such gratitude and peace. The Bible's promises had been fulfilled and had new meaning for me. As we read in Isaiah, ``Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.''1 And the Psalmist promised: ``Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.''2

At first I had been influenced by personal opinion, personal experiences, personal will, doubts, fears. But when I was led to relinquish that false sense of responsibility and to acknowledge God's presence with me to guide and govern, I was given direction; He called forth my ``righteousness as the light.'' He awakened me to claim the ability to act rightly. I saw, as I had never seen before, how God does express Himself where we are.

When I ceased trying to ``make a decision'' on my own, I woke up to realize that God has given life to qualities in us that prove His presence. It is God who is the source of the qualities needed for right action--such as vision, intuition, judgment, wisdom, justice, and righteousness. It is because God is Love and the creator of man that we include the good qualities needed for every demand.

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, perceived and demonstrated the presence of divine Truth and Love to deliver mankind from evil and to provide needed guidance. She says, ``When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path.''3 And she once told a gathering of Christian Scientists, ``Trust God to direct your steps.''4 When Jesus assured us that the kingdom of heaven is within us--not a place we must die into--wasn't he speaking of the reign within of God's qualities, spiritual qualities, which constitute the immortal identity of each of us? This kingdom is God-created good, and we have only to realize the presence and might of this good to have it govern our experience.

The following verse from a hymn can help us with decisionmaking and enable us better to praise and trust Him: Wherever He may guide me,

No want shall turn me back; My Shepherd is beside me,

And nothing can I lack. His wisdom ever waketh,

His sight is never dim; He knows the way He taketh,

And I will walk with Him.5

1Isaiah 30:21. 2Psalms 37:5, 6. 3Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 254. 4The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 129. 5Christian Science Hymnal, No. 148. DAILY BIBLE VERSE In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6