We’re excited to continue our Growing Pains series, and this week we focus on some valuable lessons shared by Richie Brown III. Throughout the series, we’ve explored how growth is a challenging yet rewarding journey in our lives. This week, we’ll look closer at the idea of making pre-decisions to shape the direction of our lives. The choices we make every day have a strong impact, and seeing that clearly can help us live with more intention and purpose.
Making big decisions can feel like a lot to handle, but having a plan in place can really make a difference. Pre-deciding, or making up your mind beforehand about how you’ll respond in certain situations, is a practical and helpful tool. Whether it’s picking water instead of soda or calling a friend when you’re feeling low, these simple choices build habits that support bigger, lasting changes. Let’s explore how pre-decisions can bring clarity and direction to your personal and spiritual growth.
Effort, Commitment, and Quality of Decisions
As we go through life’s challenges, we often hear about the importance of effort and commitment. These are important, but they don’t always guarantee success. What really shapes our path is the quality of our decisions. Good choices, made with thought and direction, lead us to better outcomes and deeper fulfillment. So how do we make those kinds of choices?
One way is pre-deciding. When you plan your responses in advance, you’re more likely to stick to your values, even during tough or unpredictable moments. Let’s think through a few examples. Maybe you want to start your mornings with exercise. By deciding the night before to get up and work out, you skip the internal tug-of-war when the alarm rings. That decision, repeated often, builds health and discipline.
This idea works in many parts of life:
1. Choose ahead of time to go for lighter, healthier meals when eating out.
2. Set spending limits before shopping to stay on budget.
3. Decide how you’ll respond when someone pushes your buttons so you’re guided by calm, not impulse.
Having these kinds of pre-decisions in place helps us stay focused. When our choices line up with who we truly want to be, we grow.
The Concept of Devotion
Devotion might seem like a big word, but it comes down to being deeply committed. In Acts 2:42-43, the Bible shows early followers of Jesus staying dedicated to His teachings, to fellowship, and to prayer. Their devotion wasn’t a passing phase. It was consistent and strong, shaping their lives and communities.
Today, we’re pulled in all directions by distractions that demand our attention. Whether it’s scrolling through social media or chasing popularity, it’s easy to get off track. Many people want to draw closer to God eventually, once they graduate, get married, land the right job. But if we’re honest, our schedules usually reflect our real priorities.
So what are we truly devoted to? Sometimes it’s our careers, screens, or even keeping up appearances. But devotion to Jesus requires focus and consistency. It’s not just an emotional moment during worship. It’s a choice we make daily.
Allocating Time for God
We all have 168 hours every week. When you think about how that time gets used—sleep, work, school, chores, entertainment—God often ends up with whatever is leftover, if anything at all.
Picture this: if someone worked out only once a week for an hour, would they experience real fitness progress? Probably not. The same goes for our faith life. A strong connection with God takes time, and that time has to be built in with intention.
Without that intentional time, it’s easy to drift. Faith becomes routine, not personal. But when we set aside planned and meaningful time with God, it changes things. We grow. Our hearts shift. It’s about giving Him our best, not just our leftovers.
Practical Steps to Remain in Jesus
Spending time with God doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Here are three helpful ways to stay connected:
1. Pre-decide a time. Pick a point in your day that works for you. Maybe it’s early morning before the house wakes up. Maybe it’s during a lunch break or after the kids are asleep. Whatever works, claim that time.
2. Pre-decide a place. Choose a spot that helps you focus. It might be a chair by the window, your back porch, your car during a break—wherever it’s just you and God.
3. Pre-decide a plan. Know what you want to do in that time. Are you going to read scripture? Follow a prayer list? Use a devotional workbook or journal? Having a plan keeps you from drifting.
These small choices help build habits. And from these habits, growth happens.
God doesn’t ask for perfection, but He does ask for our hearts. When we show up consistently, that’s devotion. It’s more than routine—it’s relationship.
Jesus as the Vine
In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” That image gives us a clear picture. A branch doesn’t survive on its own. It gets everything it needs by staying attached to the vine. It draws strength, life, and fruit from that connection.
What kind of fruit? Galatians 5:22 names them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These aren’t things that come from trying harder. They come from staying close to Jesus.
When we drift from that connection, we begin to wear down. Life feels heavier. Frustration rises faster. But when we stay close to Him, our lives begin to reflect His Spirit. Hard moments don’t feel as hopeless. Relationships become more grace-filled. Even the way we think starts to shift.
That’s all possible when we stay connected to the source.
Be the Branch
The choice to follow Jesus with devotion is exactly that—a choice. It’s not something that just happens. It’s not always easy either, especially when life feels busy or uncertain. But it’s the most important decision we make each day.
Pre-deciding to spend time with God, to seek Him first, and to let His truth guide our actions builds a life worth living. It impacts more than just us. Our families, our coworkers, our friends—all see something different when we live with that kind of purpose.
You don’t have to wait for the right time or the perfect season of life. You can commit now.
You are the branch. Stay connected to the vine. Keep showing up. Keep seeking. Keep growing.
When you do, your life will begin to bear fruit—your words and actions will reflect God’s love. And through it all, He will guide you, strengthen you, and shape the legacy you leave behind.
Choosing a life of devotion brings purpose and depth to your daily experiences, both spiritually and personally. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we invite you to join our community in this fulfilling journey. Explore how the practices of pre-decisions and staying spiritually connected can shape your walk with God by being part of one of the welcoming churches in Amarillo, Texas where growth and faith go hand in hand.