Discern What is Best - Live Your Best Life

     A few years back, we went to the Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC to see Thomas the Train.  While there we found a full fledged train track that went nowhere, with a rail-car sitting at one end.  The boys knew in their minds, since the track was short and did not go beyond where they could see and since the rail-car was stationary with no engine, it was safe to lie across the tracks and take a picture.  So they did… but what they were not anticipating, while they were lying there, was another train (about 75 yards away) blowing its whistle to signal that it was taking off.  Their brains quickly shifted into ‘flight or fight’ mode and both boys shot straight up off the tracks and ran to me as fast as they could with fear in their eyes.  By the time they reached me, I was laughing and assuring them with outstretched arms they were safe and it was Thomas, on the other side of the parking lot, that was about to take off.  They calmed down and could then laugh with me.  It didn’t make their fear any less real…. no one wants to be stuck on a train track with a train headed for them… but it did ease their minds to know there was no real danger… that time.
     I have prayed Philippians 1:9-11 over all four of my children many times.  It says: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”  My husband and I have put in many, many hours teaching them about making WISE decisions.  We want them to have knowledge, insight and discernment… we also want them to have the best, to be pure and blameless and filled with integrity.  But we also know for them to have these things we have to be intentional about two very specific things.

1. They have to see us making wise decisions
2. They have to see us in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ; who through Him all of these are possible.

      As their parents, we can’t be off the rails making reckless and careless decisions.  We can’t fly by the seat of our pants hoping for the best.  We can’t be spendthrifts with what God has given us.  We can’t be inconsiderate of others.  We can’t be insensitive of those in need.  We can’t put ourselves or others in danger.  We have to be deliberate with our actions and words; otherwise we’re teaching them they don’t have to be.
     Jonathan and I have tried (and failed) to do these things on our own… but over time we learned our relationship with Jesus is the only way to be fruitful in all these areas.  Unfortunately we both have been on that track with a train barreling towards us that could easily end in disaster.  Thankfully we realized it before it was too late and jumped up and ran into the loving arms of our Savior who assured us He had us.  Not only did He have us safe in His arms, but He has gently taught us discernment of how to live our best lives with and through Him.
     On days that I’m struggling, scared and on the dangerous tracks with disaster heading for me, I pray my children watch me run as fast as I can into the arms of God and His word.  That’s where my love and wisdom will grow and flourish as I continue on the path set before me.
     Cultivate your relationship with Jesus today and everyday… discern what is best, grow in love and knowledge, be pure and blameless and filled with integrity.  That’s your sweet spot.  That’s where you will live your best life.

---