I love starting a new Bible. It’s clean and unmarked. No undue influence from notes in the magin or highlights from previous study times. Beyond having memorize certain passages, the reading and study is fresh. I can read with an clear perspective; ready to hear a passage or verse with new eyes and ears. Ready to have God speak into me in new ways with the “same old scriptures.”

About six or so years ago, I pulled out the brand new Holman Christian Standard Bible that Thadd bought for me many years ago. I had discovered a love for this translation during the Psalms of Assent study by Beth Moore years earlier, but never claimed this one as my own. I remained steeped in my NIV that Thadd gave me after we got married. Although not falling apart like my very first Bible that I received in High School, that NIV has been well read and marked. It has seen many prayers and many tears. It has been my constant companion for more than twenty years. It still rests against the wall by my desk for easy reference when I need a scripture while I’m writing, and as a comparison to translations. But about six and a half years years ago, I decided to make a switch and read from a fresh Bible. I had entered a new season of my life and knew that the Lord had new things to teach me. Oh, I went back and forth between the comfort of the old and the freshness of the new. I made new highlights and new notes. And I spent an extensive amount of time in the comfort and encouragement of the Psalms before moving to the familiarity and direction of Proverbs. Consequently, in these six and a half years, there are still many unmarked pages to explore afresh.

James has always been one of my favorite books. It’s wisdom and encouragement have been a source of strength and guidance on many occasions. I have flipped to this book more times than I can count over the years, and it never fails to teach and soothe and confirm. This morning, I flipped to it once more. And true to the Lord’s consistent nature, I didn’t get far before He stopped me with a word to ponder, and a passage to highlight.

HCSB James 1:6-8: 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.

Now, research-y nerd that I can be, I wanted to compare to the NIV. And since Biblegateway makes it so easy to share, here you go, too.

NIV James 1:6-8: 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.

Okay, pretty darn consistent.

What spoke to me most this morning was verse 8. “An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.” Ouch. That seems kind of harsh.

Unstable. Just for questioning and not being quick with decisions? Wow.

Okay, I’m going to research-y nerd out a little more.

According to Dictionary.com :

Indecisive = characterized by indecision, as persons; irresolute; undecided; not decisive or conclusive; lacking definition; vague or indistinct

Unstable =  not stable; not firm or firmly fixed; unsteady; liable to fall or sway; unsteadfast; inconstant; wavering: unstable convictions; marked by emotional instability: an unstable person; irregular in movement.

Yeah, that’s all pretty clear. No surprises in definition. So what does that mean? Does that mean we’re not allowed to ponder and wait before making a decision? No, I don’t think so. The Bible tells us to be vigilant and discerning; to seek Him and wait upon Him. No, we don’t need to be all rash and quick to run full on into something. But, we also need to actually pony up and make a decision. We DO have to get in the game and do. Decide. Too often our culture is indecisive and unwilling to commit. Maybe it’s time to make a different decision and, well, decide to start more doing and less waiting and wondering.

Or, does this need to go back a couple of verses and it means that we need to decide clearly and from the start that we will trust God and not doubt Him and His guidance and answers when we ask?  Is the decisiveness about our faith in Him and His sovereignty?  When our faith and trust in Him is in question, there is no solid foundation on which to stand. Unstable. His answers and guidance might not sound like  what we want to hear all the time, but if we have decided from the beginning to trust Him, then the decision is clear – trust and do. If we trust Him, we won’t be tossed around by the storms; we’ll have an anchor on which to hold with confidence. Stable.

Our choice of decision or indecision influences our integrity; our ability to be trusted and counted on. When we are indecisive, for whichever question above, we are unstable and on shaky ground.  Who can be sure of us if we’re not sure of ourselves? Can we be the person God wants us to be if we are unstable in all our ways? Can the people around us be confident in us if we are unstable in all our ways? Can we expect the growth and direction, and maybe even the gifts, blessings, and answers, that we are asking and praying for if we are unstable in all our ways?

Good questions for this Monday morning as we wrap up 2024 and look toward 2025. Will we be indecisive or have faith and be grounded in trust? Will we stand firm on the foundation of Christ or be unstable in our walk? Are you ready to decide? I pray that you already have.

I’m not usually up at this early an hour, but I took my son to the airport in the wee dark hours before dawn, so here I am. It’s been kind of nice. I always love my time in His word. May it bless you in some way. Happy Monday and happy new week.

#LiveYourFaithBoldly and #loveonpurpose