How do you make decisions that bring you clarity, joy and peace?

When you’re considering serving in missions, it can be hard to figure out how God is leading you to join the work He is doing. It can be especially challenging to have the courage to move forward with choices that could impact your job, family, friends and community.

We believe God’s Word transforms lives. Today the global Church is expanding as more people encounter Jesus through Scripture in a language and format they clearly understand! We all have an opportunity to participate in His mission through evangelism, discipleship, church planting, spiritual growth and more.

The opportunities can seem endless, so here are five practical things to do as you rely on God for direction.*

1. Take Time to Pause and Reflect

How do you stay open to the possibilities God has for you? The first step is to set aside intentional time to pray and listen. Life can be busy; racing from task to task doesn’t give you the time and space with God that you need to make big decisions. You’ll need to stay rooted in Christ and anchored in God’s Word, praying and reflecting.

Commit to praying for your situation, giving all your cares and worries to God. Set aside time to reflect on God’s plan for you. Tell a trusted friend when you’re planning to pray and ask if they will pray for you during the same time. Ask God to place the desire in your heart to follow His lead, even when it is hard.

2. Ask God for Wisdom and Guidance

At Wycliffe, we are committed to prayer. Making decisions that honor God and align with His plan can’t be done without praying and listening to Him! Discernment requires wisdom, so ask God for wisdom to make a choice that will bring peace. With the wisdom He gives you, you’ll have more clarity and be able to stay focused on the bigger picture when making choices.

If you’re ready to follow God’s lead, pray for guidance as you move forward in making a decision about serving in missions. Ask God to show you and open doors for you.

3. Write Two Lists

Making a big decision can be daunting. But with God’s help, you can overcome obstacles and roadblocks.

What is causing you to hesitate? What excites you about moving forward? It’s important to keep a balanced perspective. On a sheet of paper, write down two separate lists — one with the challenges of serving in missions and one with the benefits you might experience.

Take a look at the two lists. What stands out? What challenges may need to be addressed? What is motivating you to go in a certain direction? As you remember your main goals, keep the bigger perspective in mind. Bring the items on both of these lists before God in prayer.

4. Get Advice From People You Trust

At Wycliffe, we rely on each other with humility. Asking trusted Christian friends and leaders for godly wisdom and advice is essential when making decisions.

You can get an objective view of your options by hearing from the perspectives of other people. What haven’t you considered about serving yet? Is there something you are missing? Go to a trusted friend, family member or church leader and talk through your options. Brainstorm together to creatively come up with ways to address any obstacles in your journey.

You can also consider what advice you would give a friend if they were facing the decision that you needed to make. How would you encourage them? Consider how you would counsel another person in the same situation as you, and apply that advice to your situation.

5. Consider the Lasting Impact

God is on the move, and you can join His global mission. God’s Word is everlasting, bringing transformation, hope and healing to people when it is in a language and format they clearly understand. As Scripture reminds us: “The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:24b-25, NLT).

If you were to look back on this decision in the future — whether in 10 years or at the end of your life — how would you feel about it? Think about what direction you should go that will allow you to look back on your decision with joy and peace, knowing you followed God and honored Him.

WHAT NEXT?

When you have decided how to move forward, pray and ask for peace about your choice. Do you feel clarity and joy? If you feel concerned or anxious instead, you might need to return to prayer.

Before you make any big decision, you’ll need to take time to reflect, ask God for wisdom and guidance, seek advice from people you trust, consider your legacy and compare the challenges with the benefits. Take these steps as you rely on God and follow His direction.

*Adapted from the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.