the emotional turmoil of decision making

This great phrase comes from Philip Greenslade 'A Passion for God's Story', where he writes

He emerges as a God keen on entering into dialogue rather than authoritarian decree; a God who does not hastily enter into closure but keeps debate open and his options open. This God appears curiously persuadable. He wants people to share the emotional turmoil of decision-making as if inviting persuasion, prayer and appeal.   p. 217


So often I think we imagine God as a master planner, who knows how everything is supposed to work out, whereas we stumble along in the dark, trying to work out what is the 'right' thing to do. This idea of Greenslade's of a partnership, where decision making is not a quick, easy thing but rather a struggle, and where the outcome might be open to debate, is hugely encouraging. It might be tempting to see God as a sort of fortune teller, who if approached correctly, and maybe paid enough, will reveal the next step for us. But this idea that we need to take some responsibility, that the process of coming to a decision may well be lengthy and difficult, is ultimately more hopeful and more liberating.

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