Is This The Right Decision? | Steven Furtick

Summary

In this powerful sermon, the speaker addresses the anxieties of decision-making, particularly for college freshmen questioning their choice of school. Emphasizing that the path chosen is less important than the people met and the journey taken, the speaker encourages finding peace with decisions and focusing on personal growth. Using the metaphor of a child learning to walk, the sermon illustrates God's guidance and support, urging listeners to trust in divine direction and walk by faith, not by sight, acknowledging that God's backing provides the strength to face life's challenges.

Takeaways

• 🧭 The main message is that the path you choose isn't as important as how you walk on it. It's about the journey, not the destination.
• 🤔 Decision-making can be overwhelming, but it's essential to focus on the people and experiences that will help you grow, rather than getting stuck on the 'right' choice.
• 🏫 The speaker reassures college students that their choice of school isn't as critical as finding the right community and making the most of their experience.
• 🏛️ The importance of a church or institution is not in its name or location, but in the personal connection and spiritual growth it fosters.
• 🗣️ God's guidance is continuous and omnipresent, speaking to us in every situation, even when we feel we've made wrong turns.
• 👣 The speaker emphasizes the importance of walking by faith, not by sight, trusting in God's direction even when the path ahead is unclear.
• 👶 The analogy of a child learning to walk is used to illustrate how God guides us step by step, celebrating small victories and providing encouragement along the way.
• 🎉 Early achievements in one's spiritual journey may receive much praise and attention, but the speaker encourages continuous growth and learning beyond these initial steps.
• 🔮 The speaker shares a personal story about having his brother's back, illustrating the concept of support and protection in times of need.
• 💪 Confidence comes not from personal strength alone, but from the knowledge that there is a higher power supporting and guiding you.

Q & A

What is the main message the speaker is trying to convey about decision-making?

The speaker emphasizes that the initial decision is not as critical as the journey and the people you meet along the way. They suggest that it's more important to find the right people and walk the path well, rather than being overly concerned with the choice itself.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'turning to the right or to the left' to life choices?

The speaker uses the phrase 'turning to the right or to the left' as a metaphor for the various paths one can take in life, suggesting that God's guidance and presence are not dependent on the specific path chosen, but rather on how one proceeds on that path.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'Sometimes our options are the enemy of our peace'?

The speaker implies that having too many choices can lead to indecision and anxiety, which detracts from our sense of peace and contentment. They argue that it's better to make a choice and move forward rather than being paralyzed by the fear of missing out on other options.

Why does the speaker believe that the specific church one attends is not as important as the commitment to one's spiritual journey?

The speaker believes that the commitment to spiritual growth and the relationship with God is more significant than the physical location of worship. They suggest that God can speak and guide individuals regardless of where they choose to worship.

What is the significance of the speaker's statement about their favorite church?

The speaker's statement about having a favorite church serves to illustrate that even in a place of great personal significance, the act of engaging with one's faith and spiritual growth is more important than the location itself.

How does the speaker use the example of their child's first steps to relate to the audience's spiritual journey?

The speaker uses the example of their child's first steps to demonstrate the progression from initial, simple achievements to more complex ones in a spiritual journey. They suggest that as one grows in faith, the challenges and expectations evolve, and the support and encouragement may become less overt.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'God's got your back'?

The phrase 'God's got your back' is used by the speaker to convey the idea that God is supporting and protecting individuals, even when they are not aware of it. It implies that God is actively working on their behalf, even in unseen ways.

Why does the speaker compare their own high school experience to their child's?

The speaker compares their own high school experience to their child's to highlight the differences in challenges and support systems across generations. It serves to emphasize the importance of having someone's back, or support, in navigating life's obstacles.

What is the importance of the verse Isaiah 30:21 in the context of the speaker's message?

The verse Isaiah 30:21 is significant because it reinforces the speaker's message about God's guidance and presence in one's life. It suggests that God will provide direction and speak to individuals, even when they are not actively seeking it.

How does the speaker use humor to connect with the audience?

The speaker uses humor by sharing personal anecdotes and light-hearted observations about life, such as the differences in high school experiences and the reactions to their child's first steps. This approach helps to create a relatable and engaging atmosphere for the audience.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Decisions and Finding Your Path

The speaker discusses the importance of not getting paralyzed by the stress of making the right decisions, especially for college students questioning their choice of school. The emphasis is on finding the right people rather than the right place. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about limited school choices in their hometown and how they learned to accept and make peace with their decisions. The message is that options can sometimes hinder peace of mind, and the focus should be on how one walks their chosen path rather than the initial decision itself. The speaker also touches on the idea that God's blessings and guidance are not tied to a specific church or place, but rather on one's journey and commitment to their faith.

05:02

👣 The Journey of Faith and Growth

This paragraph focuses on the journey of faith and personal growth. The speaker uses the metaphor of a child learning to walk to illustrate how encouragement and support are abundant at the beginning of one's spiritual journey but become less noticeable as one progresses. The speaker contrasts the initial excitement of spiritual milestones with the reality that, as one grows, they must take on more significant challenges with less external validation. The message is to trust in God's guidance ('This is the way; walk in it') and to walk by faith, not by sight, even when the path becomes more challenging and the support less apparent. The speaker encourages the audience to continue walking in their faith, knowing that God is always guiding and protecting them.

10:08

💪 God's Support in Life's Challenges

In this paragraph, the speaker assures the audience that God is their support in facing life's challenges. The speaker uses the phrase 'God's got your back' to convey the message that God is always there, fighting battles on their behalf that they may not even be aware of. The speaker shares personal stories about having their brother's back in school and how this translates to the spiritual realm, where God is always protecting and guiding them. The emphasis is on trusting in God's support and knowing that He is with them, even when they cannot see Him, just as they cannot see their own back. The speaker encourages the audience to have confidence in God's protection and to face each day knowing that they are not alone.

Keywords

💡Decision-making

Decision-making refers to the process of choosing a course of action among several possible alternatives. In the video, the speaker emphasizes that while making decisions is important, it's not the ultimate determinant of one's success or peace. The speaker uses the example of choosing a college, suggesting that it's more important to find the right people and make peace with one's choices rather than being paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision.

💡Peace

Peace, in this context, signifies a state of tranquility and harmony. The speaker suggests that having too many options can be detrimental to one's peace of mind, as it leads to constant second-guessing and regret. The script illustrates this by contrasting the simplicity of decision-making in a small town with the anxiety of a college student choosing a school.

💡Path

The term 'path' is used metaphorically to represent the journey or direction one takes in life. The speaker discusses that the importance lies not in the initial decision of which path to take, but in how one proceeds along that path. This is exemplified by the speaker's personal preference for a particular church, suggesting that the path's value is found in the journey and engagement, not just the destination.

💡Church

In the video, 'church' is used both literally and symbolically. Literally, it refers to a place of worship. Symbolically, it represents a community or spiritual home. The speaker asserts that the divine can be encountered anywhere, not just in a specific church, emphasizing that the essence of spirituality transcends physical locations.

💡Involvement

Involvement denotes active participation or engagement. The speaker uses the term to contrast passive attendance with active involvement in a church community. Being involved implies a deeper connection and a more meaningful spiritual journey, which is more important than merely choosing the right church.

💡Direction

Direction, as used in the script, refers to guidance or the course one should follow. The speaker quotes Isaiah 30:21 to convey that God provides direction, even when one might be rebellious or distant. This direction is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that accompanies one's journey through life.

💡Faith

Faith is a central theme in the video, representing trust or belief in a higher power. The speaker encourages the audience to walk by faith, not by sight, suggesting that true belief is not about seeing the outcome but trusting in the process and the divine guidance.

💡Back

The phrase 'I've got your back' is used to convey support and protection. In the video, the speaker uses personal anecdotes and biblical references to assure the audience that God is always supporting and protecting them, even in unseen ways. This phrase is used to inspire confidence and trust in divine guidance.

💡Challenge

Challenge in the video represents difficulties or obstacles one might face. The speaker assures the audience that God will provide the necessary guidance and strength to overcome challenges, emphasizing that divine support is available at every turn and decision point in life.

💡Growth

Growth is mentioned in the context of personal development and spiritual maturation. The speaker encourages continuous growth and change, suggesting that one should always be moving forward, learning, and evolving, both in their faith and in life's journey.

Highlights

The importance of finding the right people rather than being overly concerned with making the right decisions.

Decision-making paralysis can be caused by too many options.

The idea that the initial decision is not as crucial as how you proceed on the chosen path.

God's blessings are not confined to a specific church or place.

The necessity of active participation and connection within a community for success and freedom.

The continuous guidance of God, even in moments of rebellion or turning away.

The importance of listening to God's voice and direction in life's journey.

The significance of taking steps in faith, even when the path ahead is unclear.

The metaphor of a child's first steps to illustrate the journey of faith.

The realization that early encouragement may not be as readily available as one progresses.

The concept that God's guidance comes as you walk by faith, not by sight.

The assurance that God has your back and will guide you through life's challenges.

The idea that God's word and guidance come as you walk, not just at the beginning.

The importance of trusting in God's plan and direction for your life.

The message that God is always fighting for you, even when you're unaware.

The encouragement to walk by faith, not by sight, and trust in God's protection.

The reminder that God's guidance is available for each day and each decision.

The personal story of having someone's back and the importance of support in overcoming challenges.

Transcripts

But the passage was so powerful to me. It said  whether you turn to the right or to the left,  

whether you go to Elon or Chapel Hill… I was  thinking of a college student right now. You are  

so stressed about if you made the right decision  to go to school here. It's your freshman year,  

and you're thinking, "Is this the right  school?" It really doesn't matter right now.  

What you have to do is find the right people.

We can get paralyzed in decision-making  about things that don't matter as much.  

I was telling them one time in  church how in the town I grew up in,  

there weren't so many schools to choose from where  to put your kids. I mean, there weren't so many  

schools like that, so you just did it, and you  got along with it, and you made peace with it.

Sometimes our options are the enemy of our peace.  

"Oh, I should have done this. Oh, I  should have done that. Oh, I could  

have done that." The Lord said, "Whether  you turn to the right or to the left…"  

The important thing isn't necessarily the road  you take. The important thing isn't necessarily…

I'll be honest with you. I don't think you have  to come to church here for God to bless you.  

You can go to another church,  and God will speak to you there.  

You can go to another church, and God will  have a word for you there. That's fine.  

The important thing is not necessarily  about that initial decision, is it?

The important thing is not necessarily which  way you go but how you walk on that path.  

The important thing isn't necessarily which  church you go to. Y'all, I think this is  

an amazing church. As a matter of fact,  this is my favorite church in the world.  

As a matter of fact, if y'all run me out of this  church, I don't think I will go find another one  

to preach in, because what could I ever do after  pastoring Elevation Church that would live up?  

All I'd spend my whole time  doing was comparing it to this.

I mean, if God told me to, I'd have to do it,  but I wouldn't want to. I would do it with a  

bad attitude if the Lord made me pastor another  church. Yet the important thing isn't what church  

you go to. You could sit in the back of this  church and never get involved and never get helped  

and never get hooked up and never get connected  and never be successful and never be set free,  

and it's a great church. You came to the  right church. You turned to the right.

Okay. Good job. But how are you walking on that  path? Whether you turn to the right or the left…  

Give me verse 21. It's so anointed. The Lord  said, "You will hear a voice." God will speak  

to you there. God will speak to you in your  rebellion. Even when you turn your back on him,  

he'll still speak. Even when you walk away from  him, he'll still speak. He is always speaking.  

He's still speaking. He's still  talking. He's still directing.

God didn't stop talking when you graduated.  God didn't stop talking when you got the  

job. God didn't stop talking when you got saved.  

He's still talking. Are you still stepping? Are  you still growing? Are you still going? Are you  

still maturing? Are you still changing? Or  are you going around in the same circle,  

missing your turn, because there's something  God is speaking, but you can't see it?

The Bible said something crazy. "You will hear  a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way;  

walk in it.'" We found a video of some of Graham's  first steps the other day. I'll show it to you. It  

was only 30 seconds. It was too cute. Watch  it. Graham and I were watching it together.

[Video]

Look what all he just did,  and she wasn't clapping.  

I mean, that was a much more complicated  journey than the one that was on that video.

No "Yay, Graham!" He just did  that. That even involved steps.  

He didn't even trip like he did on  the video. Now he's just doing it.  

Y'all were just as bad. None of y'all  clapped for him. He came all the way up here.  

I wish I could have told him, "That  

is about as much encouragement as you're  ever going to get for doing so little.  

From this point forward in your life, you have  to do crazy stuff to get that level of applause.  

You have to win, like, at least  a state championship before your  

mom is ever going to be that  proud of you again for that."

See, that's where it shifts. In the picture,  you couldn't see her. You couldn't see Holly  

in that video, but she was right there  in front of him, saying, "Yay, Graham!  

Please don't crawl." Please? She's  begging him to do something he just did,  

and she was barely even aware he did it. I watched  her. She was so bored while he walked up here.  

He just did it.

Early in your walk, it'll be  like God will be like, "Yay!"  

Okay. If you get baptized at Elevation, we'll  cheer for you. "Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that  

awesome?" I want some of you to get baptized.  That would be great. We'll be there to cheer  

for you. They'll be around that tank going, "Yay,  Graham! That's amazing that you gave your life to  

Christ. That's amazing that you did that. That's  so great that you put your faith in Christ."

That's about as good as it's ever going to  get. If you raise your hand in a minute when  

I give the invitation… "Who wants  to give their life to Christ? Who  

wants to turn their life over to Jesus? Who  wants to receive the gift of his salvation,  

the forgiveness of sins, the remission  of sins by the shedding of his blood?"

When your hand goes up, everybody will start  clapping, and the angels in heaven will start  

rejoicing. It'll be amazing, and it's our  way of saying, "Come on. Walk. Walk. Do it.  

Do it." It's amazing, but watch Isaiah 30:21  for the revelation. "Then you will hear a voice  

behind you,  

saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

This is the way; walk in it. This is  the way; walk in it. This is the way;  

walk in it. Do you trust me? This is the way; walk  in it. This is the way; walk in it. Turn to the  

left. This is the way; walk in it. This is the  way. Do it again. Turn to the left. This is the  

way; walk in it. Y'all, he could have walked right  off the edge, and it wouldn't have been my fault.

This is the way. Notice that God's word comes  as you walk. This is the way; walk in it. This  

is the way; walk in it. This is the way; walk in  it. Now, we've come a long way from "Yay, Graham!  

Yay!" It wasn't that awesome what  he did on that video. It was basic.

But then God calls you to  walk by faith, not by sight.  

God has got my back. This is the way; walk in it.  This is the way…go slow…walk in it. This is the  

way; walk in it. This is the way; walk in it.  This is the way; walk in it. This is the way;  

walk in it. This is the way; walk in it. And  he doesn't even have to touch me to turn me.  

This is the way; walk in it. Turn left. This is  the way; walk in it. This is the way. It assumes  

that I will stay close enough.

If you get too far ahead, maybe you can't hear  him anymore. If you get too far in the future…  

Somebody asked me the other day, "Do you plan  on pastoring Elevation Church when you're 80?"  

If I even start thinking about having  to have a new sermon 38 years from now,  

y'all will watch me have a panic attack  on YouTube in front of the world.

I can't think that far out. All I know is today  he told me to tell you, "God's got your back."  

God's got your back. This is the way. Yeah,  that's good. This is the way. You can't see me,  

but you believe me. This is the  way; walk in it. We walk by faith,  

not by sight. I'm not looking at what I'm  walking into. I know what I'm walking in with.

I got a word from almighty God over my shoulder  to fight every devil and to tell every Jezebel,  

"I am that prophet. I will stand up on  the mountain of the Lord. I will proclaim.  

I will declare the works of the Lord. This giant  will go down." This is the way; walk in it.  

One word from God is all you  need to walk into this day.

"This is the way; walk in it. This is the way;  walk in it. When you get to the next day, I'll  

give you the next word. When you get to the next  turn, I'll give you the next word. When you get to  

the next decision, I'll give you the next word.  When you get to the next challenge, I'll give  

you the next word, because I've got your back,  see. Because I'm right back here, see. Because  

I'm fighting stuff behind you that you don't  even know about. That's why I've got your back.

That's why you can't see me: because I'm dealing  with every Pharaoh in the Red Sea behind you,  

so you don't go back. I've got your back."  God's got your back! Let Pharaoh know, "I  

don't need you anymore! God's got my back!" "I'm  not just going back to school; I'm going backed.  

God's got my back. I don't care if you like me.  God loves me. I don't care if you notice me.  

God knows me. I don't care if you recognize me.  What God has revealed… He's got my back, and I  

can trust him, because when I was in the ninth  grade, he went into ninth grade." Ninth grade.

Trying to be taller than me in the ninth  grade. I'm still stronger than him,  

at least psychologically. (Don't  look back here. I'm talking to them.)  

I'll tell you something, man. You  don't know how good you have it.  

At the school Uncle Eric and I went to, when you  were a freshman, they'd throw you in the trash can  

as an initiation. It was a lot of rednecks, so  

they'd be spitting dip in the trash can,  and they'd throw you in there headfirst.

He goes to a bougie school. They don't  throw you in the trash can at his school.  

But now his brother is a senior, and the  funny thing is it reminds me of the exact  

age gap between my brother and me. I was  a senior; he was a freshman. By that time…  

I don't mean to brag, but I was  the man at Berkeley High School.

Why are you laughing? Watch this. My  brother was a freshman; I was a senior.  

I said, "Oh, on the first day of school,  when they go to throw you in that trash can,  

come find me, because I won't let  them." And he did. I was standing  

out there in the courtyard talking to  Eric, and he was running. He was running.  

He said, "Tell them they can't do it."  I said, "All right. Y'all can't do it."  

And they didn't do it. He never went in  the trash can, because I had his back.  

There comes a point where you've done  all you can do and it's bigger than you.

But my confidence isn't because I'm big;  my confidence is because I'm backed.