Decider or Disciple: which one best describes your life right now?

I’m reading through the Psalms right now, and am in Psalm 119 today. Here’s a thought from my time alone with God this morning.

As I reflected on Psalm 119:9-16 this morning, I recalled a portion of Richard Stearns book, Unfinished: Filling The Hole In Our Gospel, where he talked about the difference between a disciple and a decider.   He writes that Scot McKnight says: “Most of evangelism today focuses on getting someone to make a decision; the apostles, however, were obsessed with making disciples.”

Richard Stearns went on to say: “Disciples try to plan their entire lives around Jesus’ teaching and commands. Deciders have their own plans for their lives and invite Jesus to bless them.”

My Life Objective is not only to be a disciple, but to make disciples (fully devoted followers of  Jesus Christ).  However, there are times I act more like a decider than a disciple.  I agree with Richard Stearns that disciples try to plan their lives around Jesus’ teachings and commands.   One of the frustrations I see in the lives of people who have chosen to follow Christ is this struggle between asking Jesus to bless their plans instead of making a decision to experience the blessing of being obedient to Jesus’ plans as outlined in His Word.

I spent some time evaluating my own life in light of Psalm 119:9-16 this morning and invite you to do the same.  This short passage has a lot to say about how we live our lives.

Psalm 119:9-16 NIV

⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Here is Psalm 119:9-16 in the Message paraphrase:

How can a young person live a clean life?  By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;  don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living.
I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it.