“Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, ASV).

A dear friend used to tell me, “I don’t know what to do to be pleasing to God. Should I give to this cause or to that cause? Should I buy this car or that car? Should I go here on vacation or there?” You get the picture. She thought she had to have God’s say-so for every choice, at least every decision she thought was important.

I don’t believe God expects that of us. However, He gives us guidelines to base our lives on. Jesus gave us the most important ones: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). He also said, “All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them” (Matthew 7:12).

If I am a Christian, and I love God and do my best to keep His commandments, I believe I am pleasing to Him. That is not to say I should not pray about decisions that affect my life, especially if there is a chance they might hinder my ability to follow God. Things like the company I keep, who I marry, what kind of a job I have, and where I attend church can indeed bear on my faith.

So, yes, the next time you face making a life-changing decision, pray about it. Believe that as long as you do God’s will, He will guide you. God put us here to obey His will so we can live with Him in heaven. Our Father wants us to be saved, and He will help us.

Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I put Your words in my heart so I know how to obey Your will. Guide me and help me trust Your care and help. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Donna Wittlif, Denver, Colorado