Decisions Making

Making choices is part of life. 

There are choices we made which we will rejoice in the results but there are also choices we made which will leave us feeling frustrated and embarrassed. 

In this materialistic world, there is a over-emphasis of Outcome-Decides-Decision soundness culture. Of course we can never run away from the Outcome-Culture we live in.  But if you think hard enough, you will realise that the merits of the Process is a more important aspect in decision making. 

There are 2 aspects of Decision-making that we have to pay attention:

(A) The Process

(B) Whose Plan?

Sometimes we can be so taken by the results that we forget the PROCESS leading to those choices.

Dad is trained as a management consultant. So we say, "..if you control the process, the outcome is certain".  Whilst that is true, I often didn't get the desired outcome.  As a young man fresh from university, everything is science. I know everything.  I was just an innocent cock sure lad.  

While it is true that if I run 3,000m at the track with my super-duper Air Nike shoes covering 60 sec per 400m, and with some anaerobic conditioning, I should finished gold.   But no, I didn't.  My super-duper Nike shoes split before the start gun and I had a tummy ache while on the 3rd round at the track.  So because I returned last on the track, does it discredit all the 120 days of training?   

As you can see, there are so many considerations... of possible variables that is critical enough to upset MY plan.  I shall never know.  Only God shall.  

I am only human.  I can try as much in earnest to gather as much appropriate intel, I am only as sure as I can be sure.   

But yet we cannot live life in fear and not wanting to make decisions.  Decision making is part of life. 

In my life, I have made many choices/decisions.  Some of which I am pretty proud of but also there are many which I am rather disappointed with. Some are outright blunder that I hope everyone shall forget.  Yet some were so good that I wish everyone remembers for the rest of their lives. Well I did.  I replay them ever so often in my sleeps. 

Still, does it mean that after feeling low about the negative outcomes that I should might as well stop making decisions? Does it mean I will be so careful that I will have to consider every possibility before I make that final decision? NO. NO. NO. 

Dad brought the whole family to Melbourne in 2007.  Singapore was experiencing prosperity during those years. You could just close your eye and throw a dart at any houses in Singapore and you shall sell at a handsome profit 5 years later.   "What were you thinking Dan?"  My friends teased me in good jest.   

Did Dad lost many golden business opportunities. NO. I analysed the best I could, made a decision with my wife what we thought would be best for the family.  And we earnestly invited Christ to guide us. We couldn't possibly waited for writings to appear on the wall.  That is only for the movies.  I would be scared like hell. It is call Faith. I had to make a decision because Australian offered me an PR the second time. It was now or never.  And my good wife supported and followed my decision.  I am forever grateful.  

So there isn't really: “What is the right decision?” There is too many "..what ifs". 

My answer to you daughters is: " Just do your the best, just work hard at executing and enjoy the process and leave the rest to God.”  So passe answer right?  Well it took me 56 years to arrive at this mortal wisdom.  

Saying this does not mean to be irresponsible but rather recognizing God in the process of making important decisions. 

So what is 'enjoy' the process?  Invite God, the Father in every step of the process.  From gathering of intel to decision-making and through the execution of the follow-through plans.

We must acknowledge God in every plan we embark and we must invite His participation in every moves we make. And we must know the greater mission why we are make this decision.  And the greater mission must always be for His glory.  Should never stop at being self-serving or self-absorbing. 

When the end results are not what we have anticipated, ...we must be self-comforted that we have done our best (in.. effort, and pleasing to God).  After 50 years of my life experience, I conclude that this is what  that counts over the outcome.

We mortals like to 'regret' or 'rejoice' by the measure of the outcome.  

Some of my plans 'failed' but it has left a greater impact in my life than had it been a 'successful' one. I failed miserably in my Grade 7 through Grade 8.  But that spurred me to rise and show the jeering rest. I ended with a book price in my GCE 'O' Level - Biology, 1977, Montfort Boys Secondary School, Singapore.  I learnt humility and resilience young at 15 YO. 

Dad was born to poverty.  I recognised it. I have to be truthful in making honest evaluation.   But I don't wail about it nor blame the parents nor God.  But that doesn't mean I cannot do something  about it.  

DO something.  When the facts gathering and thinking is done. Evaluate the options and list the steps to get to the desired position. ACT on it.  Don't just continue to think.  That is dreaming. It is not that difficult once you start on your first action.  Education was the fastest way out of poverty for me.  I tasted poverty.  I never want to go back there.  I had to make sure of it.  And hell, I had and shall fight with my life.  My motivation was strong.   But I was young.  God was missing.  My mission was less purposeful.  So everything I decided or acted upon was by my own strength (which was limited).  It was lonely.  It was  frightening.  It was tiring.  I was a recluse. I was a lone boy in my own fight.  No joy.  No multiplier of knowledge from exchange.     

So no matter what choices we make, remember to include God in the decision making.  Just as Joshua, in the hours of crisis declared to the Israelites, “As for me and my household, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD”… NO REGRETS!!!

Therefore, each choices that we make, enjoy the process.  How? Commit to Christ at every step and let the result take care of itself.  Why must we? .… you will surely be a happier self at peace with whatever the outcome.  Less lonely.  More comforted. And subsequent to your decision, as you act, you don't want to doubt, you don't want to look back.  You soldier on with the comfort that Someone has backed you and shall also carry you through. 

Outcome is only a measure of an event at a certain moment in time.  But Time moves on.  Events and outcomes attached to that even changes.  So is the value of that outcome. e.g. a book prize winner basked in the limelight in 2017.  But  she gained it thru cheating and godless ways.  She is not proud nor is she happy.  foul mouth and drunkard. Which is the outcome?  Book price or the unhappy she ? 

Que Sera Sera child.  Be at peace with God is the more important thing.  It is priceless.