“Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots…”

It is always hard to know how to come to a final decision when there is a group of people involved.  At the end of the day, one person, the person in charge can decide, or we can let the group make the decision through a vote.  Votes are risky, but they do allow for everyone to feel they had a voice and a chance.  Somethings just need that in order for the decision to positively stick. If the bigger vision and picture is explained and well-understood then the vote of the group can’t be wrong.

Who was going to replace Judas (the betrayer) as the next Apostle?  It came down to two people. They all prayed that God would show them which one was the right person and then lots were cast to make the final choice.  Matthias was chosen.  Judas called Barsabbas was not.  How did Judas feel after not being chosen?  What does this account tell us?  What I take from this is that if we are seeking God’s will, praying over each decision, and living into His will to the best of our capacity, then we can (must) trust that His will is being done, even when the vote doesn’t come our way.  We will, undoubtedly, this year be passed over for something where we thought we should have been chosen.  And when that happens, we need to just trust and know that that this choice is in bigger, better and wiser hands than ours.

Reference:  Acts 1:24-25 (New Living Translation)