God's directions


God wants to give us direction.

What are some of the ways in which we can discern his direction?

a. the Bible
b. the Holy Spirit
c. counsel of godly leaders/mentors/friends

The Bible is our first guide (Ps 119:105). It is clear on many specific things that are non-contextual and non-negotiable e.g. do not steal, do not murder etc. Sometimes the instructions are more principle-based rather than specific e.g. honour your parents, love your neighbour. For these matters, there's not much argument - in a situation where you are faced with the decision to steal/not steal, there is no need to "pray about it" (a favourite refrain among Christians).

But on many matters, the Bible does not contain specific instructions e.g. all other things being equal, whether we should work in job A or job B, or whether we should study subject X or subject Y. On such occasions, the Holy Spirit can sometimes be very clear (Isa 30:21). The Holy Spirit is our counsellor. Sometimes He speaks very clearly to us. It can be in a still small voice, or in fantastic miracles.

Then of course, there is the counsel of godly leaders/mentors/friends (Pro 15:22). This is why it is important to be part of a community of believers in various parts of our lives - congregation, family, work.

But there are some pre-conditions that will help us to use these tools to discern and obey God's will.

a. we must believe that God has a plan for our lives (Jer 29:11)
b. we must decide to choose God's purpose for our lives (because we know that He knows best) (Rom 12:1-2)
c. we must trust that God is in control even when results don't seem appealing (Phi 2:13)
d. we must develop a relationship with God (John 10:27)

If we BELIEVE that there is a plan, and that the Plan is GOOD, even when THINGS GO BAD, (which we can only endure if we WALK with Him), THEN we put ourselves in a position to TRUST the tools God has given us - the Bible, the Spirit and our godly friends. If we don't trust those tools, then it's no use. We will either twist what we read/hear to justify what we want them to say, or worse, we will refuse to obey what the tools tell us.

Today, is there a decision in your life for which you want God's direction? First know that He has a plan. Second, know that the plan is good. Third, the plan is good even when things are bad. Fourth, we can endure the bad things because (a) we walk with Him and (b) we know His plan is to "prosper us, not to harm us" and to "give us a hope and a future" (Jer 29:11). Now that we know these things, use your tools, and more importantly, TRUST them.

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