Some big decisions are difficult to make, but then, some are not.

If, for example, your child had a terminal illness and the doctors recommended highly-invasive and risky surgery, though the risk was high, we can be sure that no parent would hesitate to make that decision if it would save their child’s life.  Similarly, people don’t have a huge problem moving to another country if promised a stable and multi-million-dollar salary.

We can see from these examples, that the speediness and sureness in which we make our decisions depends on the perceived value that that decision will bring. In the two examples, the precious life of a child and the promise of a large salary make it easy for any person in that situation to decide.

Should it not be for us Christians and the decision to be missionaries for His Gospel?

Missionaries like Paul and Luke found it easy to make big decisions for God, to move to new strange lands and to persevere under persecution because they saw the value of the Gospel.

Often times it may be difficult for us to make the decision to go on a mission, because we don’t see the value of the Gospel to the world. But the Gospel is the most valuable and precious treasure in the world.

It is more valuable than any multi-million dollar salary.

It is more valuable than any promise of a comfortable life-style.

It is more valuable than any relationship and even our own lives.

It is more valuable because in it is the promise of a reconciled relationship with the God of the universe, access to the sanctuary of God, and the promise of a new life that is free from the clutches of evil.

In Paul’s letter’s he shares 3 particular things that make the Gospel valuable.

1. The Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation (Romans 1:16-17):

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

2. The Gospel is the treasure – the life of Jesus – in our mortal and weak bodies (2 Corinthians 4:7):

 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

3. The Gospel is God’s extending to us his favor – now! (2 Corinthians 6:1-2):

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,
‘In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.’
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Let us be like Paul and his companions: ready and able to make big decisions for God, and ready to go anywhere for the sake of the Gospel.

Go to oneyearchallenge.org to register for your One Year Challenge today.

People tend to look for a “Gideon sign” when they think about going on a One Year Challenge – that is, a sign from God that they should or should not make this decision.

Our desire for certainty is a good thing. We should not make big decisions haphazardly or without adequate information. When seeking the will of God, searching for certainty reflects a strong desire to be convinced of what God’s specific will is.

We’ve said that the Gideon test is a bad way to decide, but that doesn’t mean God has left us completely clueless as to His will or what he desires for our lives.

God’s sign for us to give our lives to the mission, whether that would be to go on a One Year Challenge or to serve in another capacity for the mission, can be found in the Bible. We don’t need a sign! And we should not neglect the many scriptures that command us to go and make disciples of all nations.

Why are we so often not satisfied with this? Because we expect the Bible to be a detailed life plan, specific to our own lives! The trouble is, the Bible isn’t that.

The Bible is something better.

Psalms 119 says:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

God doesn’t unveil a life plan for us in the Bible. Notice that the scripture says God’s word illuminates our walk. That doesn’t mean the whole path can be seen, but it does mean that we will have sufficient light to make the next step.

Like a lamp by a person’s feet, the Bible illuminates our path step by step. It clarifies our decisions and guides our convictions.

Is our faith too much in certainty? Are we too dependent on having a plan?

This psalm says that the Bible will guide our path, but that doesn’t mean we’ll know the whole plan of our life. It means our role is to follow the Bible step by step, even to places unknown and untraveled, where our future is uncertain.

When considering going on a One Year Challenge, we can take encouragement then that the basis of our decision won’t be in certainty, or even in a detailed plan, but in faith–a step-by-step walk of faith. There will be some mystery to it, but you’ll have sufficient light to enjoy the journey and to continue on your adventure.

To begin a faith walk today, go to oneyearchallenge.org and fill out the One Year Challenge inquiry form to begin. After prayer, that’s the first step of faith.

Leading means breaking out of your comfort zone. Ed Stezer writes about five things that leaders need to give up to lead effectively.

Leadership might take you out of your comfort zone. Some of us are only comfortable when everyone likes us, but leaders don’t always have everyone happy with them. There is always some resistance to leadership. Your question is how you are going to get through that discomfort.

Read the whole thing.