How do we choose between the good choices vs the best choices? I read this quote the other day which got me thinking about this common dilemma.
“The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough.
The good is always the enemy of the best.”
Oswald Chambers, Utmost for His Highest
I can’t remember the last year I wasn’t reading Utmost for his Highest as a devotional. I sometimes miss days but at least four times a week, this is one book of wisdom I read in my morning time with God. Most mornings it is like reading his words for the first time and quite often they are just what I need to hear for this moment in time.
Good Choices vs. the Best Choices
The quote above by Chambers resonated with me. I highlighted it and reread it several times. Too often I choose something because it is good, not necessarily the right thing for me to do.
Or I do the urgent items on my to do list instead of carving time also for the most important.
I settle for good instead of seeking the best.
Now I do believe choosing good does work most of the time. I choose to see the good in others. Doing good is a form of service. Sometimes if we wait for perfection – which never comes – we miss out of great opportunities.
On the other hand, I am one who make quick decisions and often overcommits to a good cause instead of putting my energies into something I am passionate about or where God really is calling me.
What this quote did for me was to invite me to pause and reassess.
To remember at the crossroads of decisions, to wait and look deeply at the choices before me.
To fully embrace my word of the year – stretch – and reach higher to the best instead of picking the easiest, most convenient or first and quickest direction to go.
Do you ever think about good vs. best? What have you learned?
I agree it is NOT easy to know which is which. Sometimes I think if we pray and listen God will bless either path if we turn to Him first and completely.
I feel like now as much as ever that I’m having to choose between good and best, and sometimes it’s not easy to know which is which. 🙁 Pause, reassess, stretch–all good advice. Thanks, Jean!
Yes it can work both ways. I know I procrastinate too, missing the good. I guess listening deeply to God, taking time with HIm and pausing before committing to something may help.
I love that fortune cookie. wow! fun to find wisdom like that. Thanks for sharing. You made me smile
Over commit? I know just what you mean. I am there right now. ha! I thought your comment about waiting for the perfect and missing the good was very insightful. I see another ocmmenter said something like that. So true!
Hi Mia, Just back from traveling to a writers conference. If you remember would you please say a prayer for me? I am in a time of overwhelming commitments = most of them blessings and very good but draining also.I spent a lot of time in prayer this am and know it helped but would love some support too. Thank you dear friend
I guess the pause before proceeding makes sense so discern if this direction is the way to go. sometimes the good is better than procrastinating for something else to come along too.
I heard someone’s story just today that was so convoluted and she was sad it had taken to so long to find God. so much time wasted. But God uses everything and all those events molded her, made her ready for today. Yes we will get there an God will be with us every step.
I think it can work both ways, can’t it? Sometimes I only want the best and refuse to settle for something (let alone be grateful for) an opportunity that is good. But, I get this from Mr. Chambers. I think, for me, I take the path of doing what’s good when I see other Christ followers doing something. I assume that’s what I’m supposed to do as well–that it’s my duty. But not always. And I’ve had to live a few years and grow a head full of gray hair before realizing that.
Jean~Sometimes I remember to consider good versus what’s best and I will pray about it. Other times I wait for the perfect opportunity and miss the good. I also have a tendency to over commit at times. Thank you for sharing this devotional from Oswald Chambers. It’s interesting to note that his same devotionals can reveal new truths each year.
Blessings,
Janis
I’m right with you, Jean. Moving too fast, deciding too quickly. Your advice to pause and reassess is wise indeed. Lord, remind me when the next decision needs to be made, to wait a moment for YOUR direction!
So many times, in the journey of following the Lord, I use my own wisdom over where I am truly being led by God. It is often when I over think that I misstep. I’m grateful to have a gps on my dash as a reminder of the gentleness of God and how we reach the destination of our purpose. “When possible, make a legal U-turn” or “take the next right”. We will get there, the longer we travel, the easier it becomes to follow the route.