July 2008

06.25.2008

ne Parson’s Opinion

As a pastor, you tend to get the same questions asked of you over and over again. I don’t mind it. As a matter of fact, I am less insecure when it comes to questions I have been asked before! Ha!

One of those often-asked questions has to do with guidance. It is often expressed like this: “How do I know God’s will for my life?” Another way of asking the same question is, “Does God want me to do this or that?”

Honestly, I have not stressed much over knowing the will of God. My stress comes from waiting on God to do what I know He will do (but that is for another column).

I believe I do not stress about guidance because I know God loves me and will let me know what I am supposed to do when I am supposed to do it.

This is part of the faith walk. We Christians walk by faith and not by sight. So, that means we just rest, trusting Him who knows what is best for us and trusting that He will reveal what is best at the best time.

Now, I can hear a theologian saying, “That is too simplistic! Guidance is more complicated!” No, don’t believe that, and run as fast as you can away from him. Some want to make this Christian life difficult.

Christianity is relational through and through. The Lord walks with a Christian, and as we walk together, the Lord directs our steps.

To fret and be anxious about God’s direction is to show a real lack of trust in His love for you. Remember, He really does love you, and He even likes you! And because He does, He will let you know about decisions when you need to know.

Now, I can hear a deacon ask, “But what if God doesn’t let me know?” In answer, my encouragement would be to examine your heart and confess any known sin so you can hear God clearly. But if you still don’t know, you can trust Him! He has something in mind through the quiet.

Still, if there is no direction and the decision has to be made now, you ask for wisdom based on James 1:5 and assume the insight you do have is from God, then make the choice with the light you have.

Again, in my life, knowing what God wants has not been that difficult. It’s the doing that causes me problems—but that is another column also.

Remember John 10:27: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Posted by arbc at 07:24 AM