"Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go."" Acts 25:12, NAS95.

"And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."" Acts 26:32, NAS95.

Paul's decision to appeal to Caesar altered the course of his life forever. The simple statement, "I appeal to Caesar," begins the wrap up of the book of Acts. Every time I read this chapter, I wonder what would have happened if he simply waited a few days to make his appeal. He might have been released. After waiting two years was he in such a hurry to resolve this that he missed God in his decision or was this part of the Lord's plan for him?

We all make decisions every day. Most are not life-altering. However, there are a few decisions we make like moving to a different city, marrying a spouse, making a large purchase or taking a certain job that may have historical consequences. In these types of decisions, it is best to slow down the decision making process and to get some outside council.

Often the big decisions of life are also the most emotional decisions. The chemistry in our brain starts pushing us "beyond our reason." We all know the feeling. We can usually tell it is an emotional decision as soon as we find ourselves saying, "this is God," or "God told me this." When we feel we must baptize our decisions with the stamp of God's approval, we can almost be certain our emotions are making the decisions.

Because of the emotional nature of our decision making, wise people have other trusted friends and advisors in their lives. They place people around them that can tell them the truth in these times. They even ask them, "do you think I am crazy." 

We can all take a lesson from Paul. Maybe this was God's plan to get Paul to Rome. Maybe he made the right decision. Maybe. But the story turns to its final chapter. Let's make sure we have bounced our big decisions and the timing of our big decisions off of someone we trust before we make it final. God will use our mistakes, but He may have a better way. 

Have a great day!

Monday

Love, 
Pastor Stuart