In many cartoons, there is a famous chase scene with a bunch of doors lined up side by side down a hallway. One character would open a door, run through, and come out on the other side while the chasing character followed. This cinematic technique would create a loop of characters running through doors until the end of the scene where they usually end up running into each other.
This is what I imagine life being like. Every day, we each stand in the middle of a big hallway full of doors. Behind each door is a world full of different possibilities and outcomes. We have the power to decide which doors we try to open and which doors we leave closed. Some doors represent big decisions such as what city to live in, what person to marry, or what house to buy. Other doors represent smaller decisions such as what to wear or where to eat for lunch that day.
In my life, when I make a decision to walk though an open door, I often struggle with self-doubt. Especially when I make a bad decision, I will over-analyze all of the different scenarios and outcomes that would have happened if I walked through a different door. That is why it can be hard for me to have confidence and trust that I am going in the right direction. I sometimes wish that God would give me a sign that pointed me to all perfect doors at the exact right times that would lead me to a successful, prosperous, problem-free life. But then I remember that would take away my freedom to make mistakes, learn, and grow.
The book of Proverbs is a book full of sayings, poems, and parables written to teach people how to apply discipline, moral instruction, and practical wisdom for daily life. This is what the author, King Solomon, writes about how to make wise decisions. He says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Solomon tells us to lean not on our own understanding because we don’t always know what is best for our own life. Before we make decisions we would be wise to seek God in prayer, listen to wise counsel, and trust in God’s word even when it doesn’t make sense.
There are even some doors that God will keep locked for our protection. We can knock on it, pound on it, and try to kick it down but no matter how hard we try, it will remain closed. There are many times in my life that I look back and see that the very thing I wanted the most, was the thing that would have caused me pain and regret in the long run.
So when I find myself overthinking my decision-making, I remind myself that when I submit my whole life to God’s will, even if it doesn’t make sense, I will look back and see how everything worked out for my good.
The Bigger Picture: Submit your life to God’s plan and trust that He knows which doors are best for you to walk through and which doors you should leave closed.
The Bigger Picture 