SCRIPTURE:
"A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned."
Acts 25:13-15
OBSERVATION:
Paul was passed from Felix to Festus with his case being brought before King Agrippa. At every turn, everyone knows that the accusations brought against him are faulty:
“I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.” – Acts 25:25
APPLICATION:
As Paul’s case is brought before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, it’s clear that there isn’t much of a case. Several years have gone by and he is being passed from leader to leader, without much of a decision being made on the charges brought against him.
Leadership can be challenging at times. Leaders are often called on to make difficult decisions that won’t be popular, but will be necessary. When faced with such choices, some leaders choose not to do anything at all, reasoning that waiting won’t impact the outcome. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, as we see in this quote:
“No decision is, in itself, a decision.” – William James
There was a point in my life where I needed to make some pretty difficult decisions that would affect myself and those around me. Worried that I wouldn’t make the right choices, I decided to vacillate for a time between the different options – essentially choosing not to choose. Over time, this proved to make matters worse.
Making no decision is indeed a decision. I need to ensure when it comes to the choices I am faced with, that I seek the Lord’s counsel and guidance, so that I am able to make the choices He is calling me to make.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have chosen not to choose. Thank You Lord for your counsel. May I seek You out in all I do, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
