Discernment

1 John 5:1-5

Discerning the will of God would sure be a neat party trick, as far as I can tell. Too bad it's not one of my strong suits. Most of the time, I am so entrenched in my own world that I forget that God is both my entire world, and also not of my world. I am frustrated often by the lack of communication skills God seems to exhibit...Hello! A simple yes or no would be great here! Unfortunately, God works in mysterious ways. The mighty hand doesn't (usually) float down and point me in the right direction.

Or does it? Does God provide paths and answers and I'm looking but not seeing? What I think I'm following the will of God and instead I'm following my own? My own will is plenty loud and demanding. What if God ALWAYS answers, but our brains and hearts are too filled with static to hear what he is saying? Maybe the answer is, "You need to jump in, go through this pain (or uncertainty, or hardship...or boredom!) because there is a mustard seed in this experience I need you to pluck out and plant"?

(I think I just abused several metaphors, there. Sorry, metaphors!)

I guess today in my uncertainty I have a few choices. I can trust or not. I can make the wrong decision and know it's okay, because God will walk with me and open up my heart in new ways, no matter which path I take.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God."

There IS a voice that separates itself from this blasted rat race we live in, if you can do more listening and less doing. It takes practice to hear it, but it's there. He is there.

Prayer: O Lord, give us the strength and courage to follow wherever you lead. Strengthen us when the way is hard. Amen.

Thought for the Day: Following Christ means going against our culture's ways.