I Could, But Should I? Learning to Invite God Into Every Decision

A simple question that changed how I live, think, and choose — with God at the center.

I could, but should I?

Making decisions before I came to the realization that God was missing in my life (because I was keeping Him out of it) appeared to have been so much simpler, so much faster, and so much easier.

At least they seemed to be. I know now, that they weren’t easier. I just let them go without too much thought about the outcomes and consequences of those decisions.

Now, I’m sure they were not easier. But it seemed that way at the time. That was because all I was relying on to make those decisions was how it would make me feel, in the flesh, in that moment. I was being very naive, as well a selfish.

My reflexes and my responses to these moments in time were purely influenced by how the result would make me feel.

This was true in pretty much any decision that I had to make, big or small, back then. This was also true no matter who else these decisions and their outcomes may have affected. Other parties or people were not high on my list of priorities.

I wasn’t a mean person by any stretch of the imagination. But I can admit that how things affected me had a much bigger influence on my decisions than how they affected others.

I’m not proud of that today. But it’s just a fact.

The decision-making process was a lot more streamlined back then, too. If I wanted something, I did it. If it felt good, I did it. If it made me money - legally - I did it. If it was entertaining, or I thought it would be, I did it.

If it made me feel good, in this lifetime, I did it.

The end results were not that important. Those were outweighed by the instant gratification, or the euphoria it brought me, or might bring me, in this life.

There was a lot of euphoria, too. I’m not going to lie. I wasn’t wild by any measure, but I did not really think twice about things that I wanted, that I could get, and that I felt would feel good in the moment.

All of that changed when I came to the realization that most of those things and those outcomes were entirely empty. I realized that they added nothing to my soul. The euphoria or excitement or sense of accomplishment was often short-lived, from my experience.

That was when I started questioning what was missing in my life. Why, if all these supposed amazing things were taking place, did I feel so empty and lost inside?

I kept asking myself that age old question.

It was through that analysis that I eventually came to my personal epiphany that the one major thing missing in my life was God.

God was missing. He wasn’t missing because He was not there, mind you. He was always there. He was missing because I was not including Him. I was not turning to Him. I was not listening to Him.

I was feeling lost and empty because He was not part of the things I was doing.

So I started to search Him out only to find out that He was there the whole time! I learned that I just had to invite Him into my life and into my decisions, and there He was, always ready to help.

After that, I started to make decisions in a different way. Always up front was the knowledge that I could do things. But now I added to the mix and to the analyses whether I should.

I could, but should I? I kept asking myself that question over and over.

I started applying this analysis to big decisions and then eventually even to the smaller ones. I would stop and ask that question. Then I would wait for an answer.

That job? I could take it, but should I? Was it consistent with the teachings in the Bible? Would it just benefit me in this life or also in the life that Jesus and God promise us in eternity?

That deal? I could do it and make a big profit at the expense of other parties, but should I? Is that what God would want me to do? Is there a better way to structure it so everybody involved is blessed by it?

That smart, snarky comeback or statement during a tense conversation? I could say it to make myself look better by putting someone else down, but should I? Should I use my better judgment and just walk away, maybe even pray for the other party?

That movie full of evil messages and prurient situations? I could watch it and be physically or mentally stimulated for the moment, but should I? Are those the messages that God would want me allowing into my mind and body, the same place that He has entrusted me to welcome the Holy Spirit?

I could do all these things, and many others.

But should I?

As kids we are told that if you catch on fire, you should stop, drop, and roll to put it out. Asking this simple question in the most difficult and even the most benign situations, became my stop, drop and roll. Now, when I find myself on fire in these situation, this is my go to analysis.

I’m not perfect. Far from it. Far, far from it. far, far, far from it! I am, however, trying to be more consistent in what I do and what activities I engage in these days. I am doing a better job of keeping track of my thoughts and what I let into my mind and my sphere of influence.

I try to remain cognizant of what I am doing and whether it is consistent with God’s teachings and His desires for me. I know He has a plan for me. Is this part of it?

I am doing my best to put an emphasis on what may benefit me in the eternal life that God promises us is out there waiting for us. I’ve learned that that everlasting life, when we get to live out our lives with Him, is what truly matters.

I’ve gotten into the habit of asking myself this simple question when things come up:

“I could, but should I?”

It’s been working for me, too. I feel my life and decisions are more fulfilling, more God-centered, more kind, and they make me feel better and less empty.

Is there something that you do in these situations, or a question that you ask yourself when making decisions, that helps you stay on a more God-centered path?

If so, please share it! I’m still learning every day and I’d love to learn from you!