Decisions Create Events

As each year ends and we look toward the New Year, people often wonder what lies ahead. We lived through last year, but 2026 will be a year you have never lived in before. 

Here’s a story about places you may or may not have lived in before. I have been in many places, but I've never been In-Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You must be In–Cahoots with someone else, too. I've also never been In–Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been In–Sane. In–Sane doesn't have an airport; you must be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family, work, and watching legacy media.

I want to drive to In–Conclusions, but you have to jump to get there, and I’m not too big on physical activity anymore. I have also been In–Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. I’ve been In–Flexible, but only when it was imperative to stand firm. Sometimes I'm In–Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. One of my favorite places to be is In–Suspense! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age, I need all the stimuli I can get! But one place I don't ever want to be is In–Continent. I hear it’s a messy place. (I couldn't resist.)

I love a verse in the Bible where God’s people have just come out of the wilderness and are finally ready to journey into the land that God had promised them. Joshua instructed God's people to follow the ark of God's covenant through the deep waters of the Jordan River into the land of their destiny. They were to follow the ark of God’s covenants. Why? The Word says, "… that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before." (Joshua 3:4) As they looked at the water and then looked at the land of the other side of the river, they visited the villages of In–Doubt and In–Secure. "…for you have never been this way before…" That town doesn’t sound In–Viting. 

Do you see that? In this new land, they would need direction, assurance, protection, and the presence of God to guide them. Challenging times, challenging people, challenging corruptions, and challenging places were ahead. The status quo wasn't going to cut it anymore. After all, they had never passed this way before. Sounds like pretty good advice for us, too. 

The challenges of today’s world require more than human education, worldly wisdom, or our past experiences can provide. What we need now is guidance from God in navigating the waters of the year ahead and beyond. That's life living in the town of In-Vitation for a better future. 

Here’s my advice on going to and through challenging places and times, where you have never passed before. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the One who will keep you on track. Please don't assume you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-9, The Message) That’s life living in the town of In–Sight. What is the result when you do that? Peace amid storms you may pass through, and a supernatural peace that surpasses all conventional understanding.

Author Mike Murdock says, “Decisions create events.” In other words, some decisions create a desired future instead of a desired present. Wisdom lives in the town of In–Stead. You should visit that town. Instead of corruption, visit In–Corruptible. Instead of living In–Sin, live in In–Integrity. It'll do you good in the future and help you, too.   

Murdock goes on to say in his article, "Remember, as you make decisions today, that some of them will bring pleasure today. But tomorrow you will be miserable over those decisions. Some decisions may make you a little uncomfortable today. But tomorrow, you will be thrilled by the decision. Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to deliver Him from the crucifixion. He could easily come down from the cross. But he made the decision in the Garden of Gethsemane that would create an incredible future. He was willing to go through a season of pain to create an eternity of gain."

Here's a town you want me to live in. It's called In–Conclusion. So, In–Conclusion, tomorrow thinkers say, "Why not make decisions and resolutions today that will create a better tomorrow?” But remember, resolutions are like babies crying in church – they need to be carried out.