Loud and Clear
I’ve been putting a lot of thought lately into this idea… How do we really know the mind of God? In the church, I’ve heard it said that Scripture is a handbook for life. Although God often speaks through His Word (and will never violate or deviate from what Scripture says), that’s not the only way God reveals His divine plans for our lives... There are various ways. The Bible tells us that there’s ‘Safety in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14)’, which basically means that God can speak to you through the encouragement of other Christians. Many people have experienced times where they were seeking God for direction and have ‘heard’ His voice. Although the Bible refers to times where the audible voice of God was heard, this isn’t exactly what I am referring to. I’m describing those times when a thought has popped into your head that you didn’t contrive, or when you’ve sensed an ‘impression’ of what you should do. These are things that 1 Corinthians chapter 2 refers to as ‘Spiritually discerned.’
This short list is basically how I always approached God when I needed an answer, when I was seeking His Will. Although I believe that the above mentioned list is scripturally accurate, I recently heard a sermon that simplified the ‘mystery’ of finding God’s will for me. I’d like to share the 2 questions the pastor asked… and like me, you may see some things shift into clearer focus in your life.
1. What do you love? (and)
2. What makes you angry?
I think sometimes we’re so busy pondering (and some times worrying about) the unknowns in our lives that we forget the simple things that encompass who we are. What do you love? What do you wake up dreaming about doing, and fall asleep hoping for? What could you spend every day of your life doing and be completely happy? What are you good at? Pastor Rob suggests that the things we like may very well point to what we are designed to do… A simple truth that has left me astounded.
His second question, “What makes you angry?” was illustrated one Sunday through various statistics he offered to the congregation. He shared statistics about world hunger, illiteracy, the staggering number of people dying from AIDS, the percentage of people around the world who don’t have safe drinking water… Every number was offered in hopes of getting some sort of emotional rise out of the congregation. With each slide revealing a new fact he asked “Does this make you angry?” The purpose of the illustration came through loud and clear. If social injustice upsets you, if hurting people around the world makes something deep down inside you ache, if you’re a plumber and you’re looking for some where to use your talent as a ministry – then do something about it.
Find what moves you… and move in that direction.
If something brings you to a place of holy anger, there’s probably a good indication that God designed you to get involved in what it takes to make it right.
As I look back over my life I can see the hand of God. There were times that He spoke to me through His Word – a simple verse that captivated me. I’ve heard him speak gently to my heart – even if it was unexpectedly at a stop light. I know that He’s gotten through to me through good Christian friends who offered me godly advice at the perfect time… But I know He’s doing something new in me – and it started when I became willing to ask myself those 2 simple questions.
…And to answer them honestly.
1 Corinthians 2:9-12
9 But, as it is written, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," 10 God has revealed this to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
*For any who are interested in listening to this message in it's entirety, I promise you will be impacted and entertained. Click on the link above and scroll down until you find "Week 326 Beautifully Angry."
This short list is basically how I always approached God when I needed an answer, when I was seeking His Will. Although I believe that the above mentioned list is scripturally accurate, I recently heard a sermon that simplified the ‘mystery’ of finding God’s will for me. I’d like to share the 2 questions the pastor asked… and like me, you may see some things shift into clearer focus in your life.
1. What do you love? (and)
2. What makes you angry?
I think sometimes we’re so busy pondering (and some times worrying about) the unknowns in our lives that we forget the simple things that encompass who we are. What do you love? What do you wake up dreaming about doing, and fall asleep hoping for? What could you spend every day of your life doing and be completely happy? What are you good at? Pastor Rob suggests that the things we like may very well point to what we are designed to do… A simple truth that has left me astounded.
His second question, “What makes you angry?” was illustrated one Sunday through various statistics he offered to the congregation. He shared statistics about world hunger, illiteracy, the staggering number of people dying from AIDS, the percentage of people around the world who don’t have safe drinking water… Every number was offered in hopes of getting some sort of emotional rise out of the congregation. With each slide revealing a new fact he asked “Does this make you angry?” The purpose of the illustration came through loud and clear. If social injustice upsets you, if hurting people around the world makes something deep down inside you ache, if you’re a plumber and you’re looking for some where to use your talent as a ministry – then do something about it.
Find what moves you… and move in that direction.
If something brings you to a place of holy anger, there’s probably a good indication that God designed you to get involved in what it takes to make it right.
As I look back over my life I can see the hand of God. There were times that He spoke to me through His Word – a simple verse that captivated me. I’ve heard him speak gently to my heart – even if it was unexpectedly at a stop light. I know that He’s gotten through to me through good Christian friends who offered me godly advice at the perfect time… But I know He’s doing something new in me – and it started when I became willing to ask myself those 2 simple questions.
…And to answer them honestly.
1 Corinthians 2:9-12
9 But, as it is written, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," 10 God has revealed this to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
*For any who are interested in listening to this message in it's entirety, I promise you will be impacted and entertained. Click on the link above and scroll down until you find "Week 326 Beautifully Angry."
posted by Amber | 12:52 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home