Time and decision are intrinsically related. They are two essential ingredients for achieving great results. Time is something most of us are familiar with, considering we use it daily. Decision, on the other hand, refers to a choice or judgment made after thoughtful consideration of the best course of action. This is what the Lord Jesus was referring to when He said, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” (Luke 14:28). The importance of decision-making in our daily lives cannot be overemphasized. It determines our success or failure in life.
The Relationship Between Time and Decision
Understanding the relationship between time and decision-making introduces us to two kinds of decisions: good decisions and bad decisions.
Good Decisions: For a decision to be good, it must be made thoughtfully and at the right time. This means considering various factors surrounding the decision’s object. For example, in the illustration given by Christ about construction, there are three basic factors to consider: knowledge of cost implications, availability of funds, and time. All these factors are essential to realize the dream of building the tower.
Bad Decisions: A decision is bad when it is not made thoughtfully or at the right time. The concluding part of Christ’s illustration states, “Lest, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:29-30). Some may wonder why Christ comments on the people saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.” The reason is to highlight that every decision we make in life affects not just ourselves but also those around us. In other words, during decision-making, we should not be overly concerned with just ourselves but also consider our loved ones.
Decision-making is crucial in our daily lives as it can be a source of blessing or a curse, depending on whether a good or bad decision is made. The point is that to benefit immensely from decision-making, it must be thoughtfully made at the right time.
Scripture note: Luke 14:28-30
