You Don’t Get to Make that Decision

“The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously.” _Henry Kissinger

Being the decision maker comes with a certain kind of glow.  And it can become addictive.  Oh we may grouse and complaint about the weight of responsibility pressing on our shoulders, but, on average, being in charge is not that bad. 

But it is important to remember that you don’t get to make all the decision. 

Here’s what I remind myself regularly: The person who can make the decision will; deal with it.

Let me give you a personal example…

Originally I hammered out the rough draft of this series on decision-making at my desk in the parsonage I was blessed to live in while serving as the Administrative Bishop for the Church of God in Michigan.

Today, just a few weeks later, I am typing this particular post in my own home because I am now serving as the Administrative Bishop in Western North Carolina. 

How did this happen, you ask.

As it happens, I have five bosses, called the International Executive Committee, who hold the power of appointment over my ministry assignment.  For whatever reason, at this past bi-annual denominational gathering, they decided to appoint me to Western Northern Carolina. 

They didn’t consult me or ask my opinion; they didn’t have too, they have the power and right to make that decision.  I knew that going in so why should I complain?  The persons who could make the decision did.

To be clear, I am greatly honored to have received the assignment and am thankful to be here.  But that’s not always the case.  I’ll give you another example…

During my time as Administrative Bishop in the North Central Region (North/South Dakota and Montana) one of my pastors made a decision that started a domino effect of consequences that eventually traveled hundreds of miles to arrive at my desk. 

What to do?

Well the person who could make the decision did.  Would I have made the same decision?  Probably not, but it was within his sphere of authority so I dealt with it.  I didn’t fuss or complain (I wanted to), instead, I drove the hundreds of miles over to his church and helped him sort things out. 

After the dust settled we did have a conversation about how to handle things better the next time, but not once did I reprimand him for actually making the decision for that was why he was there.  He was the one that could make the decision and he did. Kudos to him.

Life is full of these moments.

And it is good to remind ourselves that no matter how many decisions we get to make, we don’t get to make them all.

The ONE THING for today: Everyday people make decisions that affect your life for good or bad.  You can complain about it or you can deal with it by making the best decision you can in light of the circumstances that come knocking at your door.    

For the entire series on How to Make Great Decisions follow the following links:

1. Does this decision even need to be made? See: Before Making That Decision
2. Does this decision need to be made now? See: Wait a Minute!
3. Am I the one who must make this decision? See: Pass the Buck Every Chance You Get
4. If I make this decision, what will be the next decision that must be made? See: Before You Throw that Stone
5. You don’t get to make every decision.