The writer of Proverbs gives a simple illustration to help with decision making.  Proverbs 4.26, “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” 

To ponder something means to weigh it.

Consider the old balance scales with two weighing pans and a beam in between.  Whenever something’s weight needed to be considered the object of unknown weight would be placed in one pan.  In the other plan, an object with a known weight would be place. 

Little by little, more objects with a known mass would be placed into the pan until the two sides reached balance, or equilibrium. 

The unknown was always examined via the known.  The known defines the unknown.

Anytime we have a decision to make, there are many unknown factors. 

• Is this the right job to take? 
• Should I refinance my house? 
• Should I ask her to marry me?

In order to find the value of these unknown outcomes, we weigh them against the things we know.

• Does what I know about me balance with what this job demands?
• Does what I know about her expectations balance with who I want to be?
• Does what I know about my income balance with the mortgage payment?

The known defines the unknown.  Until we find equilibrium between what we know and that which is unknown, we cannot move forward. 

Do you have a decision today? 

• Does your action balance with truth?
• Does your action balance with purity?
• Does your action balance with loving others?
• Does your action balance with justice?
• Does your action balance with mercy? 

Whenever the answer is yes, move forward.  Until the answer is yes, keep pondering. 

“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.”